Locomotive coal

[Rlangham]

The LNER of course served plenty of coal mining areas, but coal from different areas had differing qualities and subsequent uses - where did the LNER tend to get their coal from? Presumably it would follow pre-grouping practises. My main interest is where the NER got their coal from but thought it would be a more interesting wider discussion regarding where other companies pre-LNER and LNER itself got their locomotive coal from.

Given chances are that railway companies got their locomotive coal from the area they served, is there any evidence of railways doing some sort of bargaining with collieries, ie supply us with so much coal and we'll transport so much coal free of charge?

[jwealleans]

I can't remember where it was from, but the loco coal wagons 2001 took to Vitry had the colliery name painted on the sides.

Do I remember 4498 running on 'Best Bedlington' in the 1970s and 80s?

[drmditch]

I did start a thread ....here.... to discuss just this subject.

It has got a bit 'off-topic' occasionally, but it would be interesting to see if anyone has found any new references.

I do know (but haven't got the reference to hand) that the NER coal contract was quite 'big-business' circa 1910!