Conrail up in Coal Country

[Point353]

Question, is there room for the same number of cars on both sides of the breaker? remember they don't load one car then move it to another track so they can load the next car. On the prototype these tipples are built to load 25 to 50 cars at a time by either gravity feeding them through the tipple or using a car puller. I know on a model we don't have that kind of room, but if you can fit 5 to 10 cars on both sides of the tipple, then you're representing this operation in model form, aka close enough 

Note the third and fourth paragraphs in reply #267.

[Philip H]

I'm with @Rich_S - the cars on each side makes the scene work better.

And I recognize that loader!

[OldEastRR]

From the picture it looks like only a sort of runaround past the yard ladder is used as the loading track --- all the rest of the track looks out of service. The "runaround" track leads back to the endloader and the coal pile, which is where I assume all the action happens. So I don't see why you'd have those two tracks with hoppers and the loco on them as anything but abandoned. In essence the prototype has only one working spur and an entire yard w/ ladder as unused, decaying track, right? 

[VonRyan]

So how long till I can push those silly things out of the way and stock that colliery with some proper rakes of private-owner wagons?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Put together a quick little cumulative upgrade while doing some traveling.

http://conrail1285.com/february-2020-antrhacite-layout-update/

Highlights: Worked out the track plan for St Nick.



Most of the cork is glued down and sanded.



And I'm 10% of the way done making and installing the turnout control assemblies. By that I mean I've got 3 of 30 done.

[wm3798]

Might I suggest color coded wire?  It will cut down on confusion later...
Lee

[wazzou]

Might I suggest color coded wire?  It will cut down on confusion later...
Lee

^^^ agreed, but what is that big brass rectangle?

[Chris333]

^^^ agreed, but what is that big brass rectangle?

That is the reason his knuckles are bleeding after cleaning track 

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Might I suggest color coded wire?  It will cut down on confusion later...
Lee

It's beautifully color coded! One side is red, one side is white and the output... Orange?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

^^^ agreed, but what is that big brass rectangle?

That's the extension needed for the micro slide switches. I wanted to give my crews without coke nails a chance at throwing them.

[OldEastRR]

They'll be safer after he installs the thick rubber sleeves that slip over them. 

[Point353]

Is that a spiral easement type transition curve?

[OldEastRR]

More like a spiked easement curve...

[CRL]

Is that a kink in the cork roadbed at the joint?

[Chris333]

That's when he dropped what he was doing to go make a tree