Is Burning Coal A Hobby?

A hobby? Naaaa, if it were I'd be doing things like removable roofs to load the coal bin and tinkering with anti-boom devices. I might even be checking it 11 times a day when it only needs to be checked once every few days.

Freddy wrote:A hobby? Naaaa, if it were I'd be doing things like removable roofs to load the coal bin and tinkering with anti-boom devices. I might even be checking it 11 times a day when it only needs to be checked once every few days.

Yea you're a coal fiend! it sounds like you need a 12 (or maybe 11) step program.

Hey my coal bin roof is removable. Had to have a way to get the dump trailer in there easy
Chris H

I grew up with coal and used it up until I left Tennessee. The coal stove was certainly missed when I made the huge mistake of moving to Chicago and getting stuck there for seven cold years. Also, I spent many years as an engineer and fireman on steam locomotives for 3 different railroads. The railroad I work for now isn't smart enough to get a steam engine, so; I guess my little Stanley Argand Parlor Stove has become my surrogate choo-choo.

I'm having a blast. I have always been fascinated with "rocks that burn". I can't wait to see the anthracite museum, I go from NJ to NY pretty much right past that area to visit family. I have learned so much here and really appreciate the friendly assistance. A little ways to go and I'll surely have my stove tweaked.
I've had this recent fire going 24 hours, looks just fine. I may not have to put in a gas heating system at all this winter here; I'm renovating this garage that's been my workshop for a couple decades. Almost done, it's small but rent free indefinitely as long as I take care of the property for my friend. With apartments absurdly priced and property taxes the highest in the USA, this is how I can stay in NJ and keep trying to save money.

I'm turning into a coal snob. I'm waiting to rub it in on my friends that burn wood, lol. "Oh you burn WOOD? How.....quaint. I prefer the manly art of anthracite."
I was looking at fallen branches and remembering when I would go through the woods on the property here and cut a few days worth of heat for myself! Sawdust all over the place, jamming the maul in a knotty piece of wood, carpenter ants coming out of hibernation inside the wood bin..... I do like cutting firewood, but now I see I don't mind shovelling coal either!

[/quote]]I spent many years as an engineer and fireman on steam locomotives for 3 different railroads. The railroad I work for now isn't smart enough to get a steam engine, so; I guess my little Stanley Argand Parlor Stove has become my surrogate choo-choo.[quote]

Steam locomotives! that must have been awesome. The wife had given my an opportunity to drive a steam locomotive as a gift a few years back at the rail museum in Essex CT. What a great experience. Now that's a coal fire.

John

It's a HOBBY!
I used to run a Diesel with a train behind me (still can if needed) but now I sit in a yard office and bark orders to move the diesels and the trains.
But it's a HOBBY when you can help some one run a Steam Train on your main line.
SOO 1003 photo run by on the WSOR Waukesha Sub main line in North Praire, WI Hwy 83. Ballast cars on the head end are loaded to work the engine a little harder.

I also throw a little Bit. now and then in the stove and walk outside to get the smell and thought of the Steam Engine running thru town.

That is awesome. I'm 51 years old and I still sit there in my truck at RR crossings and make train noises while I'm waiting for the train to pass and the gates open.........

if it were I'd be doing things like removable roofs to load the coal bin

Oh, oh... do hinged lids count?? I thought I started burning coal just to kill the oil bill, but it's actually enjoyable to do so. I kinda like shovelling a few buckets of coal a day, tending the stove and its parts, and taking the ashes for a walk up the driveway. You know, the same things our parents and grandparents switched to oil to get away from...

I'll also chime in with the "man make 'um heap nice fire" guys, and the dancing blue flames are just about as hypnotic as you can get .

Here's a video I put up on Vimeo (may require broadband access) this summer. I worked on both these engines as a fireman (hence the name Ashcat) in the late 70's/early 80's.
(I can't get it to embed, ala Youtube--here's the link):
http://www.vimeo.com/1417077

Very nice ashcat. From my grease and coal dust covered glove to yours I'll shake your hand. I have always wanted to get out there. You just sparked the interest again.
Nice side shot of the fire box side vents breathing on the shove into the station. Good and hot Bit. flames! Good hard black smoke too. All show! Old timers would cuss us out for doing that.
I don't like feeding the fire box at a station stop and you have shown why. Dang doors don't close fast enough. LOL Reminds me of opening the stove door to soon before the vols burn off and scrambling to go cover the vents so the whole house don't get filled.
Thanks again. Stay warm!

Thanks HDFXR1991, and Hello back at you. Yes, that's more smoke than I ever felt comfortable with producing in the station, too. If he'd had the blower on a bit more he'd have probably prevented that backwash of smoke when he was loading, too. The day I was there this summer, they "popped" twice in the station. In my day that set you up for a not-so-gentle ribbing from the engineer and from the coworkers in the shop, who could hear it from the engine house.

You should check out the Strasburg if you're ever East. Good operation.

Its always nice having a guy like WARM NOW on a camping trip with you. HERES TO THE "TAKING CARE OF THE FIRE GUY ON CAMPING TRIPPS GUYS"A cold beer for ya!!!

tugcapt wrote:Its always nice having a guy like WARM NOW on a camping trip with you. HERES TO THE "TAKING CARE OF THE FIRE GUY ON CAMPING TRIPPS GUYS"A cold beer for ya!!!

Thanks, tugcapt. I am good at it, but there are usually complaints about too much beer missing. Tending fires is thirsty work!

It started out as a way to save money and be warmer but I think (and my wife would agree) that it has become an obsession.

In January I plan on buying 4 data loggers and the assoicated analysis software.

I am running my Keystoker in series with my oil burner on a two zone system. The circulator between the boiler and the stoker is a 3 speed circulator that runs constantly.

I plan on installing the data loggers to collect the the following information.
1. Zone 1 - date and time on and date and time off
2. Zone 2 - date and time on and date and time off
3. Stoker - Date and time on and date and time off
4. Out side tempretature.

With the analysis software and I can place all the output of these data loggers onto graphs and do an analysis.

What do I hope to be able to do with this.
1. Determine what the best speed is for the circulator between the oil burner and stoker to minimize electrical use and maximize the response of the Keystoker.
2. Tune the Keystoker for optimum response to calls for heat
3. Determine which zone runs the most so I know where to focus my insulating efforts.

Is this all really necessary? NO but it sounds like fun.

Yeah this is way more than a hobby.

And yes, my wife has suggested that professional help would be well advised.

http://www.homecoal.net