Looking for current coal suppliers. One of our sources has disappeared, and with the Chinese buying everything black and combustible, prices have skyrocketed.

Looking for 20 to 25 tons, and we are insular, so can't use a hopper car load without dumping and trucking to our site. We're running mainly 24" gauge, with tiny ashpans, so low ash content is high on requirements list.

John Harbeck
Hesston Steam Museum in Indiana

Seeing Mr. Harbeck's lament about rising coal prices got me to thinking. Could we possibly get a ROUGH estimate of coal usage on those lines that use coal in their steamers? Something simple like:

Engine type: 4-6-0

Mileage run (R.T.): 9

Average coal usage per run: 3-1/2 tons


The above is an example only, but you get the idea.

Thanks!

Les

Tried to call Tower Fuel yesterday, phone I had is out of service or disconnected.
Anyone know if they're still around, and current contact info??

John,

Kentucky is coal country as you know and I put in a call for you at a place in Prestonsburg, KY. I have used their coal personally and it burns to ash.

Here is the contact,

ONYX COAL SALES, INC.
439 Meadows Branch
Prestonsburg, KY

606-886-0611

Ask for Jesse Rudd. He will be able to help you with a tractor trailer load or two.

Hope this is helpful,

I hope to come up and see your operation sometime.

Take Care,

JD Johnson, Morehead and Northfork Railroad Historian

Strasburg uses (or used) Pennsylvania coal. Sorry, but I do not know who there supplier is. Kelly?