Latest news with #coalmines
BBC News
2 days ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Durham coalmines steam train No. 54 returns to Tanfield
A steam train that once served coalmines in north-east England will return to the region five decades after it was removed from Coal Board No. 54, built in 1952 to help cope with the post-war demand for County Durham coal, transported coal from East Hetton colliery for most of its the switch was made to diesel locomotives in 1976, No. 54 was saved from being scrapped by preservationists at the Yorkshire Dales 54 is coming back to County Durham in June to take part in the Tanfield Railway line's 300th anniversary. The small engine was bought from the Kilmarnock locomotive builder Andrew Barclay to work at East Hetton from short spells on loan at nearby Trimdon Grange colliery during the 1960s, No. 54 spent two decades pulling coal trains from East arrived at Fishburn Coke Works in May 1974, but when the works switched to using hired-in diesel trains in 1976 it was removed from service. 'Largest surviving artefact' Yorkshire Dales Railways, near Skipton, saved the train and volunteers restored it to the condition it was in when delivered to East Hetton in 1952. It is currently housed with the Appleby Frodingham Railway Preservation Society in Scunthorpe, but is returning to County Durham to take part in the Legends of Industry weekend at Watchman, Tanfield Railway's general manager, said No. 54 was a "rare survivor from the East Durham coalfield"."It's a sobering thought that for most of the pit villages where No. 54 worked it will now be the largest surviving artefact from their industrial past."I'm really pleased that we've got the chance to bring it home for a little while."No. 54 will be pulling passenger and demonstration freight trains between Stanley, in County Durham, and Sunniside, in Gateshead, between 20 and 22 June. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Reuters
07-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
India eases coal supply rules to ramp up power generation capacity
May 7 (Reuters) - India on Wednesday changed rules to allow long-term coal supply contracts for so-called independent power producers as it looks to ramp up its coal-powered plant capacity. The government also did away with the requirement that coal power producers should have power purchase agreements to sell electricity. The moves will encourage power producers to plan new thermal capacities and help future capacity addition, the coal ministry said in a statement. India wants more power plants to come up at the pitheads of coal mines as it would reduce the challenges in transporting coal to distant and remote places where power plants are often located. Under the new policy, which was approved by the cabinet on Wednesday, independent power producers with or without power purchase agreements can get coal on an auction basis for a period of up to 12 months or above and up to 25 years by paying a premium above the notified price. India aims to raise its coal-fired capacity by 80 gigawatts by 2031–32, from the current 222 GW, to meet growing demand for power. The country had added nearly 28 GW of coal capacity in the past five years, according to Central Electricity Authority data. The coal power additions come even as the country is aiming to add at least 500 GW of clean energy by 2030, against 172 GW currently. India's renewable energy sector is grappling with several obstacles, including weak demand for tenders, land acquisition challenges, delays in power purchase agreements, and project cancellations.
