Coal Supply Question

[Darren Gunderson]

Hopefully this is will be the right forum for someone who is involved with this to answer. I know the different grades of coal, anthracite, bituminous, sub bitumious and lignite. That going from hardest to softest. What I am wondering is what grade is the stuff that is bought for the show considered?

I am going to need to buy some and may have found a place not too far from me but from their description, I want to have an idea if it is even worth going to check it out. I just have not heard what our stuff in the bunkers there is considered.

Thanks for any guidance.

Darren

[pmasley]

Excellent question Darren. I know I don't have a clue but I'm also interested. I've watched some DVD's of the Durango and Silverton RR and they are throwing in coal the size of hams. Is this just different sized coal or is it different because it is a different type of coal.
Peter

[40avery]

The last I knew we were getting eastern high volatile bituminous stoker grade coal but Jim B. could shed more light on this as he is the one that orders it.

What you see on the Durango is most likely pit run coal. We used to get it but I understand that the suppliers we know of do not handle it any more.

[Nick]

I would encourage staying away from the Lignite. TOO SOOTY and full of sulfur. Wyoming I believe has some good coal however more expensive!!! My 2cents.

[Darren Gunderson]

I agree, I don't want lignite, I was just trying to figure out what the kind we use there at the show was considered. I have a place not too far from me that will sell it and I just really need to go there and take a look at it. It sounds like they crush it up pretty fine to transport but that they would screen out big chunks that we could break up if needed. It supposedly is bituminous but I am wondering how good it is.

Darren

[40avery]

If you can find out the type of coal it is, the BTU value per pound, and the cost delivered to the hill we can figure out if we want a sample load or not.

Thanks for the interest.

[Darren Gunderson]

Rick,

I meant to thank you earlier for the info that you did supply. It probably would not be real practical to get a load all the way to Rollag. The reason I was asking is that I am helping to get a 25 Reeves DS operational for a show local to me in Kansas. It has not been out for 25 years or so except for a short appearance to get inspected 5 years ago. Because of the size of the firebox and type of grates in it, I would like to find lump coal a bit bigger than what we use at WMSTR. I was just trying to get terminology down so as I talked to people I would have an idea of what they may have. I want to get something at a minimum that is like what I am used to using up there. I know I really just need to go and take a look. I have a feeling the stuff I can get that is close to me is not going to be real great but it may be worth checking out to see. I know they want $50.00 a ton and will screen out chunks through a 2 inch screen to cut down on dust.

My dad may be going to take a look. Just to satisfy curiosity, I will post here what I find out when and if I get some. This show is next weekend and we have run the Reeves on wood but would like to get some coal if we can.

Darren

[40avery]

Darren,

If you are not going to be running very hard most coals will work. Lignite does not have much for BTU's so you shovel a lot to do a little. You also will get a lot of carryover on the stack. We started Leo Huston's garbage bags in the back of his pickup on fire one year when we were burning it in the 353. It was parked a half a block away from the tracks!! Had a couple of camper troubles too!:hide:

We are getting charged a LOT for bringing coal into Rollag so quality options would be looked at even if they were a ways away.

Good luck with the Reeves I wish I could see it run!

Have fun.

Rick