Historic steam tram on bio-coal
Under the watchful eye of the press, interested parties, and seventh-grade children from the Hieronymus School in Wognum, a historic tram from the Hoorn-Medemblik Museum Steam Tram made its first journey using an alternative fuel. Not only did passengers travel through the West Friesland countryside in a steam tram, the steam tram was powered by biocoal instead of coal. Aldermen Harry Nederpelt (Medemblik) and Samir Bashara (Hoorn), both responsible for the sustainability portfolio in their municipality, were present for this European first.
Several coal-fired steam locomotives operate in the Netherlands. In Western Europe, these often serve a cultural tourism function. The museumMuseum steam tram Hoorn-Medemblikhas the largest collection of fully restored, operational steam locomotives that once operated in our country. The use of coal as fuel for steam trams is finite. As part of the "Green Steam Tram" project, a sustainable alternative has been developed for the coal used in steam locomotives.
Present, past and the future
How do you steer the steam tram into the sustainable era while simultaneously preserving the traditional, museum-like character of steam energy technology? This question became increasingly relevant for the Hoorn-Medemblik Museum Steam Tram.
After all, the use of coal – the traditional fuel for steam locomotives – is under increasing pressure from environmental concerns. Last year, we collaborated with the Steam Tram Museum, ECN, Ontwikkelingsbedrijf Noord-Holland Noord joined forces to find a responsible alternative. This groundbreaking project was funded by the municipalities of Hoorn and Medemblik.
Steam locomotives use only a fraction of the coal used in a coal-fired power plant. But we're a real eye-catcher. In 2019, we transported 166.000 passengers. We feel a responsibility to reflect this growing environmental awareness and to promote it externally. The experience remains intact. The stoker adds coal to the fire, and the fumes emerge from the chimney. Further testing and research will determine, among other things, whether biocoal is suitable for all steam locomotives in the Netherlands.
- René van den Broeke, Museum Director
Further research
The joint research led to biocoal, compressed (torrefied) wood, or biomass. This product closely resembles coal, but without the release of harmful substances such as nitrogen and sulfur compounds during combustion. Unlike other alternatives, biocoal can be used in steam trams with minor modifications.
Torrefaction converts wood or wet biomass into a product that closely resembles coal, but with significantly improved properties. Harmful emissions are reduced to virtually zero, and the fuel is CO2-neutral because it's made from biomass. Furthermore, the biocoal can be produced regionally from available biomass streams.
De Dutch Thermochemical Cluster en InVesta, Both projects we are involved in, together with the Hoorn-Medemblik Museum Steam Tramway, facilitate this application of biocoal in steam locomotives.
Emission comparisons
The conclusion of several test runs prior to the February 14th run is that biocoal is a sustainable alternative to coal in steam locomotives. Nitrogen and sulfur compound emissions have been significantly reduced with the use of this new fuel. The production process is highly energy-efficient, releases fewer harmful substances during combustion, leaves less ash, and produces less slag. The cost of biocoal is comparable to that of coal.
Van den Broeke is very pleased with the result: “The experience remains intact. The stoker adds coal to the fire, and the fumes rise from the chimney. Further testing and research will determine, among other things, whether biocoal is suitable for all steam locomotives in the Netherlands.. "
About the Hoorn-Medemblik Tram Museum
The Hoorn-Medemblik Steam Tram Museum manages the collection of steam trams and offers visitors a historical travel experience. The Hoorn-Medemblik Steam Tram Museum is a registered museum that preserves the history of the steam tram in the Netherlands through a collection and associated knowledge, which is collected, managed, preserved, and presented in a museum-like manner. This collection and knowledge are primarily used to offer a broad audience an authentic Dutch historical travel experience in an educationally responsible way. The work is carried out as much as possible by volunteers.
