Coal for the coal hoppers

rva1945 Aug 1, 2016

  1. rva1945

    rva1945 TrainBoard Member

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    NScaleKen, JoeTodd, WFOJeff and 2 others like this.
  2. fifer

    fifer TrainBoard Supporter Advertiser

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    Thanks for sharing Robert , I like the loads and thanks for sharing.
    Mike
     
  3. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    It works. You get exactly the look desired, and also save a little money!
     
  4. rva1945

    rva1945 TrainBoard Member

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    Do you guys think I can use that gravel as ballast, too?
     
  5. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    It may be too big. The coal in the cars will normally be much larger chunks than what would be normal ballast. But, spread some along your test track piece, but a car on it, and take some photos! See how it looks.
     
  6. CraigN

    CraigN TrainBoard Supporter

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    I use foam rubber that comes 2 inches thick and 12 inch squares that's used for chair cushion inserts. I get it at Walmart . I just cut it down to fit the hopper, I use a dremel to shape and flat black spray paint.

    I haven't glued anything on top because I like the look I get, but I do like how yours look too.

    BTW , I model N Scale
     
  7. rva1945

    rva1945 TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks, I'd like to see your job.

    Anyway, don't forget that the larger the scale the finer the details should be.
     
  8. BlazeMan

    BlazeMan TrainBoard Member

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    Glue a washer on the underside and you can remove them with a magnet.
     
    NScaleKen and acptulsa like this.
  9. CraigN

    CraigN TrainBoard Supporter

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  10. CraigN

    CraigN TrainBoard Supporter

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    I didn't have a close up picture to show you but this is how they look from a distance.

    And this is N scale.
     
  11. friscobob

    friscobob Staff Member

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    I model in HO scale, and have used real coal for coal loads n my hoppers. Good old-fashioned North Fork bituminous (from SE of Grand Junction, CO). Pulverized, screened, and poured into the hoppers, the live loads add weight to the cars. And yes, if not careful, I have also gotten live spills as well. I do like the look of those loads in your hoppers, though.
     
    Hardcoaler likes this.
  12. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    I use some sort of "coal" that Life-Like (?) made many decades ago that looks good. I actually fill and dump my (N Scale) hoppers by hand. A loaded coal train then weighs quite a bit and it's fun to add extra locomotives necessary to move the train just like the prototype. My road isn't large, so 16 hoppers is my usual train length. And after a number of full/empty cycles on the layout, the hoppers get a nice black and dusty interior when empty.

    TrainmasterAtMine.jpg
     
    Point353 likes this.
  13. nd-rails

    nd-rails TrainBoard Member

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    hi
    Coal came in various grades and sizes, but ballast size is a bit large for N for all your loads.
    BTW- the D&RGW never had two bay hoppers. Perhaps NG?
    They are foobies and use numbers form the 18xxx 3 bay hoppers first purchased in 1952.
    regards dave
     
  14. fifer

    fifer TrainBoard Supporter Advertiser

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    Arizona Rock and Mineral has some great sizes and color of coal and is made from real coal.
    Mike
     
  15. southernnscale

    southernnscale TrainBoard Supporter

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    I use to do sand blasting metal structures and use Black Beauty diamond dust, it come in several sizes. I'm into Z scale so I have been using the very fine type and it looks just like coal. Don't need to paint or do anything to it! in the Photo with the Z scale you can see the large dumper and back hoe loading coal in the bin!

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Beau...m=271956709401&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

    IMG_2177.JPG s-l1600.jpg
     
    Last edited: Feb 14, 2018
  16. DCESharkman

    DCESharkman TrainBoard Member

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    That is what I use for coal and other loads. Something that I have tried but do not have a photo of is to take the load out of the hopper, scratch it up a little with semi-coarse sand paper. I then press the top of the load into a glue solution, 75% glue 25% Alcohol and let that set until tacky. I then press the load in a bowl of crushed coal lift it out and let it dry. When done is a a very realistic coal load. Drop it back into the hopper and done. I have done the same with some ballast hopper loads. I have a fairly long string of ATSF MOW cars with a lot of slinky action with the MT couplers. Here I actually filled the hoppers full with the mauve ballast found in my modelling area. Those become pretty heavy cars, but there is no more slinky action.
     
  17. fifer

    fifer TrainBoard Supporter Advertiser

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    Thanks man, I like that idea.
    Mike
     
  18. DCESharkman

    DCESharkman TrainBoard Member

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    Hey Mike, glad to give you a technique after all that you have shared!
     
  19. fifer

    fifer TrainBoard Supporter Advertiser

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    Thanks, I just have so little time to share anything now except the YouTube stuff.
    Mike
     
  20. DCESharkman

    DCESharkman TrainBoard Member

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    Well I found a car that needed a load and here is a Northern AZ Mauve ballast MOW ATSF hopper.

    The hopper is full of the ballast to give it a little extra weight and takes the slinky action out of the train.

    IMG_0632.JPG IMG_0634.JPG
     
    JoeTodd likes this.

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