| HI
No O gauge and gauge 1 are as a rule fired on meths this still requires a blower to draw a draft throu the firebox. Once the boiler has a little pressure the steam raising blower can be opened and the fan taken away.
Some gauge 1 locos are coal fired and indeed there was a gauge 1 coal fired at Ali Pali. Its hard keeping acoal fire in a box that small and a long way from being practicle. That said some do it and do it well but its a lot of work. In general spirit is the fuel of choice as once the boiler runs out of steam and water the spirit burner goes out. Wih a gas burner the fire will keep going risking damage to a dry boiler.
Cheers kevin |