Blue Gem Coal

This forum is dedicated to the Live Steam Hobbyist Community.

Moderators: cbrew, Harold_V

Post Reply
jscarmozza
Posts: 599
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2014 5:09 pm

Blue Gem Coal

Post by jscarmozza »

I recently found out about the Blue Gem coal seam in KY, and that the coal is very high quality, high carbon, low sulfur and ash. Does anyone have have knowledge of its properties or experience using this coal to fire a live steam engine? Thanks, John
kbarnett
Posts: 18
Joined: Wed Sep 24, 2008 4:45 am
Location: ky

Re: Blue Gem Coal

Post by kbarnett »

I am from the area where the Blue Gem seam is. Any time I have burned any local coals in my locomotives they burned hot but smoked enormously and would soot the flues after 6-8 hours of steaming, not sure if any was actually from Blue Gem. I've burned "Pocahontas" coal for 33 years or so, coming from different sources. The last few years I have been getting it from a mine in Cucumber WV. Burns hot, no smoke, ash is a little higher than my "Pocahontas" from years ago though.
User avatar
Builder01
Posts: 726
Joined: Mon May 18, 2015 5:26 am
Location: Erie, PA

Re: Blue Gem Coal

Post by Builder01 »

Pocahontas for my loco. I have not heard of Blue Gem. - David
jscarmozza
Posts: 599
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2014 5:09 pm

Re: Blue Gem Coal

Post by jscarmozza »

That's the real life experience I was looking for, thank you.
John
Steam Engine Dan
Posts: 661
Joined: Thu Nov 18, 2010 5:08 pm

Re: Blue Gem Coal

Post by Steam Engine Dan »

blue gem? that's a new one on me john. do you have any website information?
kbarnett
Posts: 18
Joined: Wed Sep 24, 2008 4:45 am
Location: ky

Re: Blue Gem Coal

Post by kbarnett »

jscarmozza
Posts: 599
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2014 5:09 pm

Re: Blue Gem Coal

Post by jscarmozza »

Dan, I was talking to Adam today and he tried a bag of blue gem in his engine and had the same experience as kbarnett above, heavy smoke and it fouled his flues.
John
Post Reply