N scale coal loader

[unittrain]

How about this talk about realistic coal load  just hate to see the mess if it derailed what a clean up that would be 

mod edit - added youtube code -Ian

[John]

I would probably spend my time on other pursuits ..

[Dave Schneider]

I would probably spend my time on other pursuits ..

Wow....ain't that the truth. Seems a bit tedious at best.

Best wishes, Dave

[Ian MacMillan]

For me stuff like this is perfect. I love live loads where someone actually has to work that job. If I was still modeling PA I would love to have a mine where you have to live load the train and then possibly unload it. I think that the small chances of having a derailing or train wreck issue make the entire thing operationally awesome. It slows down the timeclock so much.

I have thought of having a coal fired power plant ie, PSNH's  Bow NH facility, where the are live unloaded using a rotary dumper on the new layout. The cars would be filled prior to the session.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I've run on a couple of layouts with this type of setup. It's definitely a lot of fun.

But... I've also had the scenery on a newly constructed module violated by some idiot who decided to run live loads on a modular layout.

Just make sure you have a spill response plan worked out ahead of time.

[High Hood]

I would love to have an operating flood loader or 2 on my future layout.  Live loads just make model railroading more realistic in my opinion.  The only bad parts about this would be a derailment and having to unload a 20 or 30 car unit train.

[DKS]

Rick Spano has built an animated loader inside a coal mine, as well as a working flood loader. He also has a rotary dumper to unload his hoppers. He's rarely had an accident with live loads, but when he does, he just hauls out the shop vac and it's all gone in a minute.

[Ian MacMillan]

But... I've also had the scenery on a newly constructed module violated by some idiot who decided to run live loads on a modular layout.

Those are the variables you need for an incident like that. Not perfect track across the layout. Not consistent car, truck, wheel, weight standards.

On a home layout where you have control of everything you can lessen the chances for an issue.

[CBQ Fan]

Hats off to the skill of modeling this but watching has convinced me I need to take a nap......

[High Hood]

Hats off to the skill of modeling this but watching has convinced me I need to take a nap......

The loader up the road from my house takes about 4 hours to load 60 cars, and the train is there for about 6 hours total so is does get pretty boring especially when your waiting to railfan it.

[CBQ Fan]

The loader up the road from my house takes about 4 hours to load 60 cars, and the train is there for about 6 hours total so is does get pretty boring especially when your waiting to railfan it.

I can only imagine!  I got stopped the other day by a train with only car auto racks.  It was so long and the same thing over an over, reminded me why I like to model the 53-67 range, so much more variety.  To each there own and enjoy what makes you happy!

[The Beer Baron]

For me, stuff like this is perfect. I love live loads where someone actually has to work that job.

I love the idea of running live loads. So much so that they're the core of my operating scheme. That and Walthers' New River Coal Mine and Glacier Gravel kitbash into a pretty bitchin' coal mine.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Those are the variables you need for an incident like that. Not perfect track across the layout. Not consistent car, truck, wheel, weight standards.

On a home layout where you have control of everything you can lessen the chances for an issue.

Absolutely, it was a bonehead move by a... bonehead.

And the dumper on Rick's layout that DKS mentions is one of the ones I was talking about too. It was an amazing piece of machinery, and so simple a 10 year old could run it.

[Ian MacMillan]

And the dumper on Rick's layout that DKS mentions is one of the ones I was talking about too. It was an amazing piece of machinery...

I know. Which makes me want to add a coal or woodchip fired plant on the layout. Add it on DKS!

[John]

we should also add real water to the streams ..

but this is well done