"Coal bunker" redirects here. For the fuel and water tender on a steam locomotive, see Tender (rail).
A coal bin, coal store or coal bunker is a storage container for coal awaiting use or transportation. This can be either in domestic, commercial or industrial premises, or on a ship or locomotive tender, or at a coal mine or processing plant.
Domestic coal bunkers are associated with the use of coal in open fires or for solid-fuel central heating. Free-standing bunkers were commonly made of wood or concrete and are currently sold in materials including plastic or galvanised metal.[1] Coal bins or bunkers could also form an outhouse[2] or be partly or fully underground.