The heritage railway sector is struggling with the burden of cripplingly high coal prices that could put the future of traditional, steam train journeys in doubt.
The UK’s heritage railway sector is the largest and most developed in the world. According to the Heritage Railway Association (HRA), there are over 170 operational railways, 800 steam locomotives, 1,000 diesel locomotives, 560 miles of track, and 460 stations.
But East Lancashire Railway (ELR), which operates a 20km stretch of track that runs between Heywood in Greater Manchester, and Rawtenstall in Lancashire, has warned that recent shocks to the price of coal have seen its operating costs spiral upwards in a dramatic fashion.
In 2021, prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it was paying approximately £155 per tonne for coal, with much of it being sourced from Russia. Following the conflict, prices saw a 158% uplift to around £400 per tonne driven largely by import sanctions.
While Russia is not one of the world’s largest suppliers...