Coal loads for MicroTrains 33' 2-bay hoppers?

[nkalanaga]

Most of my loads (1974) are balsa with real coal.  Some plastic loads look close enough that I've kept them. 

I've sometimes though of making a rubber mold to match the inside of the car, then pouring a pile of coal in it and gluing it.  But I only have two coal loading sites, no customers, and almost every kind of N scale coal car suitable for 1974 BN use.  Too much variety to make it worthwhile.  I can cut the balsa faster!

[randgust]

My foam coal loads:

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Ok, two different 3D printed options.

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On the right my first attempt at a "multi-hump" load. I'm not happy at all.

On the left a three humper.

Now this is important to note: these are NOT intended to be used "as-is" but to have actual coal added on top. These are just properly sized and shaped "cores".

Oh, of course, I also designed a "sleeve" for use in coaling the loads so I don't mess up real cars. I'll share that once it's been tried out.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

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[mu26aeh]

Think they both look good finished.  The multi lump on the right seems like a situation where they would load via front end loaders from both sides of the tracks

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Think they both look good finished.  The multi lump on the right seems like a situation where they would load via front end loaders from both sides of the tracks

Yep, exactly. There are plenty of variations possible. I'm looking forward to doing them.

[Mark5]

The one on the right looks a bit shallow.They usually tried to max out each load (within reason).

[nkalanaga]

Max out the load:  True, usually, especially with a multi-car order.  But, since these look like they came from different loaders, maybe the load on the right was for less than a full car?  If the customer specifically ordered 80 tons, it would be cheaper to ship it in a 100-ton car, than in two 70 or 50 ton cars.

Of course, if you get the right "70-ton" car, it would be able to hold an 80 ton load, depending on the load limit. One of the GN's 70-ton PS cars (Atlas model), photographed in the 1960s, had a load limit of 167,300 lbs, so could do so.

[High Hood]

Ok, two different 3D printed options.

(Attachment Link)

On the right my first attempt at a "multi-hump" load. I'm not happy at all.

On the left a three humper.

Now this is important to note: these are NOT intended to be used "as-is" but to have actual coal added on top. These are just properly sized and shaped "cores".

Oh, of course, I also designed a "sleeve" for use in coaling the loads so I don't mess up real cars. I'll share that once it's been tried out.

This is such a great idea! Many loadouts have their own uniquely shaped coal loads due to chute size, the way the loadout man prefers to run things, etc. This could easily replicate those unique shapes in unit train quantities, as well as be a custom fit for each car type while being tailored for interior bracing or extra weight.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I did a bunch of research on prototype coal loads in Conrail trains.
https://conrail1285.com/coal-load-reference-photos/

Based on those I'm trying some variations.

Here's a "single hump" load in the L&N car.

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It's not bad, but I think I want to make it ride a tad lower before I call it "good".

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I've put my work on this up at  https://www.tinkercad.com/dashboard/collections/j0jIfkypmDp/3d if anyone would like to use them.

So far I've done the Atlas 90T, the Athearn/MDC 70T triple and the Walthers/Atlas Ballast cars.

The layer lines from doing them via FDM actually make them work really well when applying coal.

The thing I really like is the loader sleeve.
My workflow is:
Paint on a glue and paint mix.
Put the load in the loader.
Sprinkle on coal.
Dump off the excess back into the coal container.
Pop out and let dry.

It's super easy and I can crank through em like nobody's business. If I turned it into a business I could become a Model Railroad Hundredaire. But instead, I'm just making them Open Source.

Go nuts. And if you make a million bucks selling them, send me a bottle of Pappy.

[Jimbo]

For what it’s worth…. I was looking for loads myself, and MTL didn’t show any available.  So I emailed them, and they had plenty.  I was able to get as many as I needed.

But it’s great to know now many other options to consider!

Jim

[crrcoal]

So when I click on this link, nothing comes up in collections 

I've put my work on this up at  https://www.tinkercad.com/dashboard/collections/j0jIfkypmDp/3d if anyone would like to use them.

So far I've done the Atlas 90T, the Athearn/MDC 70T triple and the Walthers/Atlas Ballast cars.

The layer lines from doing them via FDM actually make them work really well when applying coal.

The thing I really like is the loader sleeve.
My workflow is:
Paint on a glue and paint mix.
Put the load in the loader.
Sprinkle on coal.
Dump off the excess back into the coal container.
Pop out and let dry.

It's super easy and I can crank through em like nobody's business. If I turned it into a business I could become a Model Railroad Hundredaire. But instead, I'm just making them Open Source.

Go nuts. And if you make a million bucks selling them, send me a bottle of Pappy.

[OldEastRR]

I use black sandblasting grit for my coal inserts. It sparkles like coal but no coal dust. You can sift it for different coal lump sizes, and it's easy and messless to grind up for smaller lumps. Do the paint and glue on the insert, but sprinkle (or dump) on the grit instead of coal. Also great to add a better look to pre-made coal loads that some hoppers come with.

[JoeD]

I believe we have those hoppers scheduled for later this year.  I'll see about putting some up.

Joe