East Lancs Railway

Had hoped to visit today, but Covid19 changed my plans for the day.

 

https://www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk...nd-timetable-changesm-12-march-10-april-2022/

East Lancs are rationing steam operating days due to coal supply problems. With no more UK coal available, and the usual source of Russia also unavailable, we will probably start to see more railways following suit. The latest SR says coal merchants are now importing from Kazakhstan and Colombia instead but the cost is beyond the reach of most heritage railways.

 

NVR is rationing steam - Saturdays only in March, diesel on Sunday - but not due to coal shortage.

 

Dining trains and events apparently...

no steam for 'normals' like me :-(

 

Try reading it properly, steam on a 'normal' Saturday - or even the Easter hols with steam at one end. (No trains w/e 19/20 March because of bridge replacement). Reviewed in April.

 

is it due to loco shortage?

 

Surprised their timetable hasn't been updated to reflect this though... - https://www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/plan-your-day-out/timetables/

 

I'm not, it has!!!

 

Doubt it, they have 92 Squadron and the Polish Tank. Might be due to crew shortage? Or maybe just recognising that loadings are probably going to be lower at this time of year, and as a Diesel costs less to run per day than a steam, getting the local diesels some days out in lower season

 

There is a good discussion on the Talyllyn youtube channel discussing the future of coal. The use of bio coal but that it is still expensive.

 

Biocoal was the subject of one of the presentations after the ASTT AGM this afternoon. The American project seems to have ground to a halt. Other work is ongoing, but even some of the products currently available, which are a mixture of real coal and other stuff, are less than ideal.

 

They will soon be the only option coal will become far more difficult and expensive to get and there will be pressure to reduce carbon emission's further the piece discussed the problem of increased cost and the reduction in spend due to cost of living rises. The need to offer education as well as just a train ride.

 

Interesting YouTube video about the issues with coal…

 

Nice interlude at Heywood yesterday between the Duchess arriving for servicing at Castleton, and departing.

 

Flexed one of our members tickets on Saturday and had a nose-bag break in Rammy. The big green machine was in steam and the penultimate day for Brush 4 D1501 before departing to Peak Rail. Few photo's.

 

Is the 47 leaving permanently? Or just oh hire?

 

Moving to Peak Rail permanently - it's owned by the Waterman Trust.

 

I thought it was owned by some members of the Bury Hydralic Group? Ah well you learn something new every day on here.

 

Talking to the footplate staff, I got the same information, plus the owners are not getting enough turns (which equals money) at Bury and there is more running to be had in Derbyshire.
We still have another Brush 4, albeit in Jockrail colours !