A FUEL efficiency experiment to power a steam locomotive, which was conducted between a West Devon company and a Cornish railway, impressed all those on board the project.

On one of the coldest days so far this year, Launceston Steam Railway used biologs instead of coal as fuel for one of its steam locomotives, 'Covertcoat'.

The biologs were supplied by Herbert and Tim Hooper, of Devon Biofuels, Spreyton, who braved the cold weather to deliver a trial load of half a ton.

Formerly dairy farmers, the ever-decreasing price for milk caused them to turn to producing biofuel. They started with biodiesel, for which they held the only licence for production west of Bristol.

Subsequently, they diversified into biologs, recycling sawdust from kiln-dried wood and producing fuel for woodburners, chimineas and enclosed fires. They now have customers from as far afield as Cullompton and Falmouth.

The company contacted Launceston Steam Railway to find out whether the logs might be suitable for steam locomotives, and the offer of a trial was made.

With snow on the ground and ice on the rails, Quarry Hunslet Covertcoat was lit up as usual, using waste-wood kindling. As the fire built, biologs were added, until, with a good head of steam, the locomotive moved off-shed and collected a coach for the trial run.

Jonathan Mann, a spokesperson for the railway, said: 'Woodburning locomotives are usually designed with larger fireboxes, blast-pipes of a greater diameter, and some form of spark arrestor — the 'balloon' smoke stack seen on locomotives in cowboy films is the classic example.

'By contrast, the Quarry Hunslet locomotives have a particularly small firebox, and a blast pipe and chimney arrangement designed for burning coal. '

Other than a short stretch on leaving Launceston, the line runs uphill all the way to Newmills, a few miles from the town.

All aboard were delighted and impressed with the ability of the biologs to produce steam.

The result was judged to be successful, with this initial experimental run proving biofuel is an alternative worth pursuing, although further tests will be needed to establish reliable data.

Nigel Bowman, the railway's managing director, said: 'I am very impressed with this first trial — the biologs burnt well and did not disintegrate too rapidly under the conditions in the firebox of a steam locomotive, as we had thought they might.

'We are planning to make further trials with this fuel, and look forward to seeing how it will perform when the locomotive is in regular service.'

Further information on Devon Biofuels can be found at http://www.devonbiofuels.co.uk">www.devonbiofuels.co.uk or Launceston Steam Railway on http://www.launcestonsr.co.uk">www.launcestonsr.co.uk