Coal supply concerns
THE availability and cost of suitable coal for steam locomotives is focusing the minds of Britain’s heritage railways. The last source of Welsh steam coal came from Ffos y Fran, an open cast mine at Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil. However, in mid-February it was announced that lump coal would no longer be provided to the heritage railway market as the washing plant has broken. With permission to extend the operation of the mine having been refused on environmental grounds, it was not deemed economical to repair the plant.
As a
