Interesting discussion on Anthracite

isaksenj · **Posted:** Tue Mar 03, 2009 8:42 am

The Erie Lackawanna List has a thread going concerning that subject near and dear to Phoebe Snow, anthracite. My colleague Jim Guthrie posted an interesting overview of how it was marketed, and thought you might find it of interest:

http://lists.railfan.net/erielack-diges ... 00008.html

tyrok1 · **Joined:** Sat Dec 13, 2008 12:46 am **Posts:** 166

Very informative - thanks for posting!

isaksenj · **Posted:** Tue Mar 03, 2009 6:45 pm

The various postings that followed are rather good, from a more personal historical sense, as well. Following the discussion thread is easier via the Chronological list:

http://lists.railfan.net/erielack-diges ... /home.html

I learned a lot -- and remembered a lot about dealing with coal from my childhood from that thread!

whodom · **Posted:** Tue Mar 03, 2009 7:11 pm

Very interesting thread.

I was just wondering- is anthracite still commercially mined and marketed?

NH0401 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 03, 2009 7:45 pm

I believe that trainloads of anthracite originate on the Reading & Northern (PA) for shipment to QI & T in Canada.

DPK

G. W. Laepple · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 5:10 pm **Posts:** 1182

Where I live, in central Pennsylvania adjacent to the western edge of the anthracite fields, coal is still a viable home heating fuel -- to the extent that a local fuel dealer recently acquired a brand spanking new delivery truck, complete with scissors lift. Other dealers have trucks with wooden boxes on standard lifts. All the hardware stores around here sell 40-pound bags of anthracite, in sizes "buckwheat," "pea" and "stove."

Many folks who built homes with baseboard electric heat or heat pumps have been forced to supplement with coal stoves as the price of electricity has climbed. Cathedral ceilings aren't very efficient, either. Several companies market free-standing coal stoves or fireplace inserts designed to burn anthracite.

Amish and Old Order Mennonites in this region favor coal, too, since no electricity is necessary to operate a coal stove! Hard coal ashes worked into the garden provide potash to the soil as well.

robertjohndavis · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:10 am **Posts:** 2499

Yes, anty coal is still mined. And it is a growing business. Keep an eye on eastern PA.

For those with an interest in history, Garrigues House has published a GREAT book on anthracite railroads and mines in the western middle field of PA.

Rob