Hi, Folks.  The steam engine fuel pellet question brings memories from
when I was a kid.  A long time ago. Those fuel pellets were nearly
impossible to find even back in those days, once the ones that came
with the engine were used up.  Today it's doubtful that they're even
being made.

Not willing to be deprived of running my beloved steam engine, I bought
Sterno, the canned jellied alcohol that was (still is, I think) used by
campers and backpackers to heat food.  I scrounged up a little metal
container that looked like a logical size, spooned some of the Sterno
jelly into the container, placed it in the "firebox" of the engine, lit
it, and it always worked okay for me.  Somebody else may be able to
suggest a better way.

Whatever way you do it, please be careful!  The engines may not be as
safe now as when new.  You don't want to get burned or scalded or cause
a fire.

Best wishes,
Jules Shaffer