Lissa - If no rain or water is collecting in the bed of the coal car then a simple isolating layer of pea gravel which the coal can sit on would work. And yes, use a low sulphur coal (anthracite is best). Cheers! Dave David Harvey Senior Conservator and Museum Conservator Los Angeles CA www.cityofangelsconservation.weebly.com On Thu, Aug 22, 2013 at 5:12 PM, Lissa Kramer <[log in to unmask]>wrote: > We have a vintage coal car on display outdoors with a roof built over it. > We have access to some coal and would like to add it to the display, but > are concerned about what kind of degradation the coal may cause to the wood > over time. Does anyone have any ideas about this and/or how we could > display the coal in the coal car without causing degradation? > > Lissa Kramer > Programs Coordinator > Issaquah History Museums > > > -- > > -L. > > > ------------------------------ > > To unsubscribe from the MUSEUM-L list, click the following link: > http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-HOME.exe?SUBED1=MUSEUM-L&A=1 > ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).