I wish to get some coal to make wagon loads and also to cover the grotty plastic efforts in loco tenders from the manufacturers. My bro-in-law has gorn and changed to a wood burning stove so that supply route has gone ::). Can anyone recommend a supplier of reasonably sized packs please?
Find your nearest coal merchant go over with a couple of jam jars and something to scoup the dust up with, you'll probably get it for free or just a pint...
I was going to suggest exactly that. Then I realised my nearest coal merchant is probably in 1982. :hmmm:
Sadly I don't happen to have a Time And Relative Dimension In Space machine and can't even find a coal merchant in the phone books, so a packet looks on the cards.
I think the likes of Peco and Carrs do some
I used the Peco fine grade (PS-330) in most of my wagons and coal bins, plus a few wagons with medium grade (PS-331). It can be crushed to make it finer if required, of course. Seems odd, though, having to pay for something that was thought of as rubbish when I was a kid!
@Newportnobby (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=264)
Aren't you near a preserved railway? I'm sure I recall posts of you visiting a 12 inches to the scale railway. If so, you can usually ask them if they would mind giving you a lump of coal. I know at my local preserved railway (the NYMR at Goathloand) you can walk round the sheds anyway and pick it up off the floor. You would still have to ask though, otherwise its stealing. Then youve got to crush it, and get it fine enough to be N scale coal.
Which reminds me... I experimented with sand. I used the really fine stuff that is sold as terrarium sand which has often been suggested as ballast. It worked ok for very fine coal found in modern coal wagons, but it needs painting of course. I guess a coarser sand could be used for coal lumps.
Cheers
Kirky
I used sand and a bit of black paint. mixed it all up, don't make it too wet, just enough to cover the sand, then I threw is in a pan and heated it gently on the stove for a few mins to dry it off, stirring it as you go stops it sticking together.
Quote from: kirky on May 10, 2018, 11:49:24 AM
@Newportnobby (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=264)
Aren't you near a preserved railway? I'm sure I recall posts of you visiting a 12 inches to the scale railway. If so, you can usually ask them if they would mind giving you a lump of coal.
Thanks Kirky,
Many moons ago I used to work in Bridgnorth so was next to the Severn Valley Railway. We have a local one so I'll give them a try............
https://ribblesteam.org.uk (https://ribblesteam.org.uk)
Quote from: cjdodd on May 10, 2018, 12:38:47 PM
I used sand and a bit of black paint. mixed it all up, don't make it too wet, just enough to cover the sand, then I threw is in a pan and heated it gently on the stove for a few mins to dry it off, stirring it as you go stops it sticking together.
Have you got a CCTV in my house? I had that for dinner last night with some oven chips! :food: ;)
A quick look on the net finds coal merchant in,
Rossendale,
Lancaster, (2)
Preston,
Blackburn,
Chorley,
Ormskirk,
http://www.locallife.co.uk/lancashire/coal-merchants-services.asp (http://www.locallife.co.uk/lancashire/coal-merchants-services.asp)
there are probably others..
Guess who has a coal burning open fire? ;). I could put some in the post for you Mick and if you could wait a week or so, I could post in Enniskillen when I go next Saturday, (post is cheaper in the North - like most things!).
Hi Mick,
Like Roger, I used the Peko medium coal.
When you see pictures of coal or ballast online it is difficult to visualise how it will look on a layout as there is no reference, so here's how the medium grade looks being shovelled.....
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/65/5755-100518163749-651591654.jpeg)
All best wishes
Kevin
:beers:
Thanks all, although Lindi seems to think I'm made of money ( ;))
@dannyboy (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=4209) That's a very kind offer and I'd like to take you up on it please. I can then vent my spleen on it avec my lumphammer next time I do something wrong/stoopid.
@Newportnobby (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=264)
PM your address Mick and will sort sumfink out.
I should of thought of that Dannyboy, there' s about a ton and a half sat outside.
Make sure its wrapped well, you don't want visits from plod, about posting strange substances :no:
:worried:
Luckily the Leyland Massive have an arrangement with the local plod whereby remittance of Nobby's Nutty Slack is allowed. ;D
just a thought.. I deliver to the Co Op stores.. and frequently deliver bags of coal. I think there is about 5Kg :-[ in a bag though, so perfect if you want to do that power station layout! :thumbsup:
Cheers
Mark
I use the Peco fine real coal in all my sound installs to replace the original plastic coal load http://www.gaugemaster.com/item_details.asp?code=PEPS-330&style=main&strType=&Mcode=Peco+PS%2D330 (http://www.gaugemaster.com/item_details.asp?code=PEPS-330&style=main&strType=&Mcode=Peco+PS%2D330)
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/19/main_28381.jpg)
Hi
I can recommend Atwood Aggregates Welsh Coal Fine which is ideal for N gauge.
Sorry I don't have a web address but do have a contact number 07581119781.
They produce a range of ballast, china clay etc.
Hope this will be of help.
Paul
@dannyboy (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=4209)
David - the coal has arrived. Thank you very much. My HST is due from Rails tomorrow and I'm not entirely sure where to fit the coal in the damned thing :help:
http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=41406.0 (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=41406.0)
Quote from: Newportnobby on May 17, 2018, 03:41:23 PM
@dannyboy (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=4209)
David - the coal has arrived. Thank you very much. My HST is due from Rails tomorrow and I'm not entirely sure where to fit the coal in the damned thing :help:
http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=41406.0 (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=41406.0)
Mick you obviously haven't purchased the optional corridor tender version. !!
Quote from: Jerry Howlett on May 17, 2018, 04:29:42 PM
Quote from: Newportnobby on May 17, 2018, 03:41:23 PM
@dannyboy (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=4209)
David - the coal has arrived. Thank you very much. My HST is due from Rails tomorrow and I'm not entirely sure where to fit the coal in the damned thing :help:
http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=41406.0 (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=41406.0)
Mick you obviously haven't purchased the optional corridor tender version. !!
The only tender thing at the moment is my wallet, Jerry :'(
I've used some BBQ charcoal crushed - should be plenty about with the weather we've been having!
Quote from: Newportnobby on May 17, 2018, 03:41:23 PM
@dannyboy (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=4209)
David - the coal has arrived. Thank you very much. My HST is due from Rails tomorrow and I'm not entirely sure where to fit the coal in the damned thing :help:
http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=41406.0 (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=41406.0)
Down the exhaust pipe I should think as they always seem to be burning coal when I see them!
Dodger
@Caz (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=202)
@Dr Al (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=263)
@Atso (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=213)
@Snowwolflair (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=3761)
Obviously it's an easy task to create wagon loads/filling for coal staithes etc but how do folks go about the coal in loco tenders/bunkers please? Paint PVA over the plastic coal and then add a thin layer of the real stuff? Hack away the plastic coal and substitute real coal for it?
The latter I am loath to do, but as some of the false loads are so full some hacking may have to be done :hmmm:
My favorite glue is the clear transparency glue n' glaze. It is strong but is solvent free and is peel-able if you want rid of it later.
This makes it ideal to add coal to existing molded coal.
Quote from: Newportnobby on May 20, 2018, 02:31:20 PM
@Caz (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=202)
@Dr Al (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=263)
@Atso (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=213)
@Snowwolflair (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=3761)
Obviously it's an easy task to create wagon loads/filling for coal staithes etc but how do folks go about the coal in loco tenders/bunkers please? Paint PVA over the plastic coal and then add a thin layer of the real stuff? Hack away the plastic coal and substitute real coal for it?
The latter I am loath to do, but as some of the false loads are so full some hacking may have to be done :hmmm:
I never use real coal, primarily because it's fairly mucky.
I've always used a tub of Carr's scale coal - one tub will do you for life as it's large! I've done loads of locos and a whole rake of 21/24ton 4 wheel coal wagons.
I do use PVA, as you describe - either in an existing empty bunker, or if the bunker is full to the brim of moulded coal I carefully carve out the coal, fit a white plasticard base (lower down generally), paint that black, then overcoat it with PVA, then the Carrs coal. It pays to vary the loading, some locos quite well filled, others getting down a bit - it adds to the variety and realism.
Cheers,
Alan
I had a few chunks of real coal about the size of a golf ball and tried to
make scale coal by putting it in a plastic bag and hitting with a hammer,
ended with a lot of irregular chunks and lots of dust .Now use ballast
painted black.
As I intend to make the wagon coal loads removeable (just glue a washer underneath and then use a magnet on a stick) I don't mind coal dust as I'll paint the interiors black, apply PVA and then sprinkle the dust/small pieces on top. Vacuum out when dry and all should look good.
If you use crushed coal then rinse it in a tea strainer.
That means an outlandish payment for a tea strainer! I don't drink tea. :no:
Quote from: Newportnobby on May 20, 2018, 09:38:06 PM
That means an outlandish payment for a tea strainer! I don't drink tea. :no:
You can use ladies tights as a filter, but I wont ask the rest :D
Quote from: Snowwolflair on May 20, 2018, 09:40:10 PM
Quote from: Newportnobby on May 20, 2018, 09:38:06 PM
That means an outlandish payment for a tea strainer! I don't drink tea. :no:
You can use ladies tights as a filter, but I wont ask the rest :D
My name is not Arnold Layne! (That shows my age, though)
Quote from: Newportnobby on May 20, 2018, 09:44:46 PM
Quote from: Snowwolflair on May 20, 2018, 09:40:10 PM
Quote from: Newportnobby on May 20, 2018, 09:38:06 PM
That means an outlandish payment for a tea strainer! I don't drink tea. :no:
You can use ladies tights as a filter, but I wont ask the rest :D
My name is not Arnold Layne! (That shows my age, though)
I have all the albums, have you seen this
I remember it very well :thumbsup: