We teamed up with the organisers of a local steam engine rally, Masham Steam Rally, to see if our Lava Log briquettes could power a 20-tonne steam engine.
We arrived bright and early in Masham to meet up with Giles, the owner of Perseverance The Second, who kindly agreed to put our Lava Log briquettes to the test.
This particular steam engine is over 112 years old, weighs 20 tonnes and is capable of pulling 30 tonnes of fairground equipment – uphill!
Can Lava Log briquettes provide consistent high heat to power 'the Showman'?
After the fire was lit and loaded with briquettes, we only had to wait a short time for the boiler to get up to temperature and start producing steam.
From previous tests, we know Lava Logs briquettes can heat up a wood burning stove to 100°C in as little as 30 minutes, so we knew a boiler would be no trouble.
The crowds started to gather in the show ground and the pressure from the steam continued to build. Giles talked us through the workings of the engine and explained it would require around 150-160 lbs of pressure (per square inch) to enable the engine to make its journey into the square for the main event, at 12 o'clock.
The pressure gauge reached and surpassed 160lbs and we were able to test the pressure with a short sharp blow of the whistle. The Lava Logs were working.
As we waited for noon, the pressure gauge continued to rise, and eventually reached over 200lbs of pressure. Enough pressure, we were told, to power the engine on the road. In the eyes of those familiar with steam engines, that would be the real test – watch this space.
Then came the moment of truth, could our Lava Logs power the Showman through the show ground and into the ring in time for the main event?
Giles manned the controls as Joe Duffield took the wheel, and with a cacophony of clattering pistons and grinding wheels, the Showman lurched forward through a cloud of steam – the great machine was in motion.
The rain fell as the smell of coal smoke hung thick in the show ground air, but 'Perseverance The Second' and its clean sustainable fuel pushed on through the crowd and into position in the ring. Success!
It was clear our achievement hadn't gone unnoticed. Conversations about the briquette powered steam engine could be heard all around.
Word continued to spread and throughout the day questions and enquiries came in from curious engine owners, with many taking samples to try in their own engines and take home for their wood burning stoves.
The positive word of Lava Logs continues to spread.
Thank you to Johnny (Masham Steam Rally Steward) for organising the day and to Giles (owner of Perseverance the Second) for spending the day with us and putting our Lava Log briquettes to the test.