coke for running a live steam engine

[cpvwrr]

I have a little engines 0-4-0 that runs much better on a mixture of coke and coal. While I have enough coal, I have run out of coke. The coke that my dad had bought was small sized. I obtained what I think is some kind of industrial grade coke that came in chunks about 5"x5"x5". I am looking for coke about 1 cubic inch in volume. Any suggestions would be welcome.

[PolskiFran]

I have read that some small gauge locomotives have been fired with charcoal. Would this work as substitute for coke? Has anyone tried this?

Frank

[BillB]

Frank,

I have zero experience with locos, but have dabbled in blacksmithing enough to know that charcoal burns waaaayyy faster than coal or coke.

It's pretty easy to set up a minimalist forge (e.g. an old bbq grill with some clay in the bottom, iron pipe fittings for the plumbing, & small blower - hairdryer will work) and coke up your own green coal. This is actually a continuous part of the process for most blacksmiths. Green (i.e. unburned) coal is banked around the outside of the fire to slowly burn off impurities and therefore "coke up". For a dedicated coking session, you can rake it into the middle, of course. Rake the coal back out when it gets to the point you like. The process can be accelerated by sprinkling a bit of water on the green coal as it ignites. Purists look down on this as it creates more smoke & aroma (or sulfur stink, as neighbors are wont to call it), but it's quicker.

One of the first tools I forged was a sort of dedicated steel club for 'processing' the coal/coke into the "pea" coal size I prefer from the "nut" coal size available to me. Also good for maintaining order in the shop. An old hammer would also work, but I don't treat hammers like that.

Don't know what the technical term is for those 5"X chunks, always just called them too d___ big.

BillB

[Rich Carlstedt]

Train Mountain sells
"Australian Coke"
It is really hot, so you want to mix it with coal as You are doing..It is 3/4 " size
I believe it is also known as
"Petrolium Coke"
I bought 3 bags the last time I visited there.
Tom Miller of Oregon may also have it ???