I remember a near useless patent fuel, popularly known as "mouldy glow" or even as "no glow", possibly the same stuff ?
More recently, the Late Fred Dibna put me off coal based smokeless fuels, by calling them "Gods good coal, from which all the goodness has been taken out"
Another alternative of house coal, if this was in short supply, was "gas works coke" which was alleged to be almost fire-proof.
It actually burnt well in a closed stove or boiler with a good draught, but was less satisfactory on an open fire.
Gas works coke was often made available for free to "the needy" or even to anyone if collected from the local gas works.
A number of lives were lost in accidents resulting from attempting to burn gas works coke in open fires.

My late grandfather had an impressive sized naval mine in his garden, I presume that it was rendered safe.
My late uncle had an impressive and presumably illegal collection of firearms and ammunition.
And much more recently, an agricultural contractor whom I know found a large stash of WW2 weapons, suspected to be intended for use in "behind the lines sabotage" if the germans had invaded. Included a number of Welguns.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BSA_Welgun

From BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) news https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c9qeq08g70yt


Edit to clarify quoting - Grahame

My friend is currently in the USA having travelled thereto by container ship.
Weather very cold with snow and high winds.
Nice and warm on board.
Food was excellent, and included Beef Wellington.
They intend to return on a second cargo ship, or possibly the same one.

Yes, and I thank you for the correction.

Because the train service is provided by IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train - replacement for HSTs (manufactured by Hitachi in Kobe, Japan)).
Often shorter, and no reservations when short formed.
No buffet. Uncomfortable seating.

Drag hunting, whereby hounds chase a scent trail laid for the purpose, is to be banned. I support the ban for two reasons, firstly because live foxes are "accidently" killed, and because hounds are killed by trains and road vehicles.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g9y20j259o

Are FGW^▸ (First Great Western) still maintaining that the IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train - replacement for HSTs (manufactured by Hitachi in Kobe, Japan)) are much more reliable than the HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) ?

 

Also lack of space between up and down lines, and no lineside fencing.

Not a fan of the new livery, it only looks right if the train is going forwards, and they spend half the time going the other way.

I can see the merits of such a system, but how would you tax electric vehicles ?  I do not mind treating electric vehicles more favorably initially, so as to encourage greater use, but this cant carry on forever. Taxing the energy used for charging wont work, as the vehicle could be charged from any standard outlet.

Yes the growing size of cars is a concern INHO. I consider that road tax should be based on dimensions or weight.
A substantial increase in fuel duty would also help.

I know not to whom you could possibly be referring.

This sort of thing should not be encouraged, except PERHAPS as a training aid for railway staff and the emergency services.
Viewing such fakes may encourage foolish risk taking on the REAL railway.

I thought that an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train - replacement for HSTs (manufactured by Hitachi in Kobe, Japan)) with only one engine was able to ascend inclines, though slowly.
After all, the electric version has only one engine, and can allegedly "limp home" on diesel power.