Creating more sustainable power for steam railways
In line with sustainability targets, the UK government aims to eliminate the use of fossil coal by 2025. There is therefore an urgent need to identify, test and provide proof of concept of alternative sustainable heat and power sources to ensure the preservation of industries reliant on these materials, including the heritage steam railway industry.
A recent project, involving Professor David Bamford, aims to create and establish proof of principle for a coal substitute fuel that will reduce harmful emissions for railway locomotives. The project will also support engagement to encourage and inform heritage railways to create sector strategies to achieve net zero emissions.
Steam railways are an integral part of Britain’s heritage, attracting annual revenue of c.£400m, providing 4,000 full time jobs and a further 22,000 part-time/voluntary roles across 158 railways in the UK. The solution devised through the research project will ensure an essential part of the UK’s industrial heritage, revenue stream, and educational resource is preserved for the enjoyment of future generations.
The initial idea for this project came from Marcus Mayers, Director of RASIC Ltd (and a Visiting Research Fellow at ManMet), who has worked with Professor David Bamford (the Principle Investigator) on numerous collaborative projects. Spanning approximately four years, RASIC Ltd and Manchester Metropolitan University have developed a well-established and productive relationship. The partnership has thus far resulted in a commissioned project (in the form of a systematic literature review), a number of funded research projects by InnovateUK/KTPs, and a joint government contract to provide training in rail design and management in Columbia via the British Embassy - Prosperity Fund.
The project started in December 2022 and will run for 12 weeks. Working with Dr Olawole Kuti from Science and Engineering at ManMet, it tests the feasibility of using biomass (residue of agriculture, forestry and types of municipal waste) to create a ‘bio’ coal prototype. This is being done through emission and energy release testing of multiple formulas. Business analysis is also being performed to investigate the current evidence base for commercial application. It will also assess viability for the heritage rail sector via interviews with sector representatives and through collation of a full report and industry White Paper.
Once proof of the ‘bio’ coal viability has been established, and a physical product has been developed for demonstrative purposes, the partnership will seek further funding to scale up the product to new markets. Several potential funds have already been discussed in depth by the research team.
To read more about this research topic, please see recently published articles by Marcus and David in The Conversation and Transport Times.
