The Bure Valley Railway has won the Heritage Railway Association Award for Environmental Innovation for their work on sustainable steam.

Bure Valley Railway has taken a major role over the past year in both the development and trialling of e-coal specifically for use within the heritage sector. Given the end of UK coal supplies along with restricted supplies of coal from Europe with the conflict in Ukraine, this work has never been more relevant.

The trialling of the e-coal has seen engagement and support from The Advanced Steam Traction Trust, The Heritage Railways Association and Network Rail.

E-coal is made up of a blend of waste biomass from the Olive Oil production process and coal dust which would usually go to landfill. The innovative produce creates a 42% reduction in CO2 emissions and will see ongoing development with further trials set to be carried out this week.

The railway had further success at the Heritage Railway Association Annual Awards taking runner up for the HRA Outstanding Visitor Attraction category.

Andrew Barnes, Managing Director, says “We are proud to be taking a leading role in role in the environmental sustainability of steam railways and at the same time recognised as one of the top steam railways in the country”