Cost of Fuel

[eagle125]

Just looking a heritage sites ,so i can plan a few trips in 2015 and it got me thinking how much does it cost to run diesel locos at heritage railways
Is it more for coal ,just wondering !!!!

[draximus]

Considering the number of takeaway food outlets in Bury I'm surprised the ELR doesn't collect the used frying oil, filter it and bang it into the diesel fleet. A pub landlord I know does that with his works van, claims it saves him an average of 60 quid a month on diesel...

[hereward]

I have Googled Steam vs. Diesel – I’m still none the wiser, but there is plenty to go at. I thought it was a good question.

[pre65]

Originally Posted by draximus

Considering the number of takeaway food outlets in Bury I'm surprised the ELR doesn't collect the used frying oil, filter it and bang it into the diesel fleet. A pub landlord I know does that with his works van, claims it saves him an average of 60 quid a month on diesel...

Can work well on older diesels, but modern "common rail" engines can give EXPENSIVE problems on prolonged vegi oil use.

[Madcaravanner]

Originally Posted by eagle125

Just looking a heritage sites ,so i can plan a few trips in 2015 and it got me thinking how much does it cost to run diesel locos at heritage railways
Is it more for coal ,just wondering !!!!

With all Heritage Railways it all depends on who buys their diesel occasionally they can get a sponsor to fill up but when you consider a class 37 can hold between 4000 and 7000 litres it isn't going to be cheap
Consumption is expected to be around 4 litres per mile

likewise steam coal is a specialised fuel and suppliers are not many the NYMR claim to use 2500 tons in 2013 for their services and todays price is £328 a tonne

[Silver Fox Phil]

A very good question Eagle125. Dielsel v Coal? well I dont know; however the cost of diesel has dropped dramatically lately, so will that mean cheaper to run diesel locomotives? Also do they burn red diesel??
Lots of questions on this subject for sure.
Be interesting to know the answers
Cheers
Phil

[eagle125]

I was just curious about the costs of running locos on heritage railways for steam and diesel(along with the other cost of running the site)

It must take some creative thinking / buying at a good price or find sponsors etc etc.
i`ll chuck an extra few quid in the the donations box !!!!!

£328 Per ton ........WOW !!!!!!!!

Happy New Year all........heres hoping for an early spring and a nice summer to do some visiting !!!!

[Madcaravanner]

Originally Posted by Silver Fox Phil

A very good question Eagle125. Dielsel v Coal? well I dont know; however the cost of diesel has dropped dramatically lately, so will that mean cheaper to run diesel locomotives? Also do they burn red diesel??
Lots of questions on this subject for sure.
Be interesting to know the answers
Cheers
Phil

They won't be on Red Diesel as that is specific for Farmers and VAT free
which is why I didn't quote a price because I couldn't actually find anything specific for railways

[Master Cutler]

The original BR specification for diesel fuel oil was quite tight and had to conform to BS 2896: 1957 as follows;
Viscosity, kinematic at 100deg F, centistokes, min 1.6, max 7.5
Cetane number, minimum 45
Carbon residue, Conradson, max %by weight 0.1
Distillation, recovery at 357degC min% by vol 90
Flash point, PM closed cup degF min 130
Water content %by vol, max 0.1
Sediment % by weight max 0.01
Ash % by weight max 0.01
Sulphur content % by weight max 1.0
Sulphur corrosive. Not more than slight tarnish
Calorific value aprox 19,500 BTUs per pound.

[pre65]

I believe that BS2896 had it's specifications changed from 2012 onwards to make it "cleaner".

It probably is red diesel or central heating oil, or a close variant.