N Gauge Forum

General Category => N Gauge Discussion => Topic started by: lionwing on March 03, 2013, 08:34:48 PM

Title: Coal & Water area
Post by: lionwing on March 03, 2013, 08:34:48 PM
Within my layout I am hoping to include a small coaling and watering area for replenishing my hard working locomotives.

Are there any particular features that I should consider?

A water tower seems a obvious choice along with some form of coal storage area but there seems to be a lot of choice in terms of kits and RTU models.  For reference my layout (Newdale) is small and provincial in its theme.

Thanks all!
Title: Re: Coal & Water area
Post by: scotsoft on March 03, 2013, 08:37:54 PM
You may wish to consider the era you are doing as the watering holes have different types.

cheers John.
Title: Re: Coal & Water area
Post by: Newportnobby on March 03, 2013, 08:59:51 PM
I have the Ratio 206 loco servicing kit although I haven't built it yet :-[

http://www.gaugemaster.com/search_results.asp?searchstring= (http://www.gaugemaster.com/search_results.asp?searchstring=)  brand~~581~~brand  scale~~%ACn%AC~~scale category~~1229~~category#4
Title: Re: Coal & Water area
Post by: MikeDunn on March 03, 2013, 09:09:52 PM
I'm planning to have watering facilities from a small engine shed (http://scalescenes.com/products/R021a-Small-Engine-Shed (http://scalescenes.com/products/R021a-Small-Engine-Shed)), but you might prefer a dedicated water tower (http://scalescenes.com/products/R025-Water-Tower (http://scalescenes.com/products/R025-Water-Tower)); while I'll be having a small coal staithes (for local deliveries) off one of the goods sidings, not fully determined how I'll handle coaling for the engines ... might use this http://scalescenes.com/products/R024-Weighbridge-or-Coal-office (http://scalescenes.com/products/R024-Weighbridge-or-Coal-office) ...
Title: Re: Coal & Water area
Post by: scotsoft on March 03, 2013, 09:11:41 PM
Quote from: newportnobby on March 03, 2013, 08:59:51 PM
I have the Ratio 206 loco servicing kit although I haven't built it yet :-[

http://www.gaugemaster.com/search_results.asp?searchstring= (http://www.gaugemaster.com/search_results.asp?searchstring=)  brand~~581~~brand  scale~~%ACn%AC~~scale category~~1229~~category#4

That is a neatlooking kit, do you know if the light is functional that comes with it or were you unaware there was a light included  :D

cheers John.
Title: Re: Coal & Water area
Post by: Newportnobby on March 03, 2013, 09:14:30 PM
Quote from: scotsoft on March 03, 2013, 09:11:41 PM
Quote from: newportnobby on March 03, 2013, 08:59:51 PM
I have the Ratio 206 loco servicing kit although I haven't built it yet :-[

http://www.gaugemaster.com/search_results.asp?searchstring= (http://www.gaugemaster.com/search_results.asp?searchstring=)  brand~~581~~brand  scale~~%ACn%AC~~scale category~~1229~~category#4

That is a neatlooking kit, do you know if the light is functional that comes with it or were you unaware there was a light included  :D

cheers John.

Sorry John, but like all Ratio kits the light is non functioning. It will be replaced by one that does :)
Title: Re: Coal & Water area
Post by: davieb on March 03, 2013, 09:18:15 PM
Hi John  :wave:

With a bit of work they can be made to work  :hmmm:

http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=1871.0 (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=1871.0)

dave  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Coal & Water area
Post by: scotsoft on March 03, 2013, 09:27:55 PM
Quote from: davieb on March 03, 2013, 09:18:15 PM
Hi John  :wave:

With a bit of work they can be made to work  :hmmm:

http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=1871.0 (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=1871.0)

dave  :thumbsup:

I remember reading your tutorial when you posted it, I ended up with a bruised chin as it hit my desk top  :D

I have some of these small SMD LEDs, I have had one attempt at soldering one but I was recovering for a nasty bug and my hands were trembling too much.  Perhaps it is time to try again.

Thank you for the reminder of your excellent work.

cheers John.
Title: Re: Coal & Water area
Post by: EtchedPixels on March 03, 2013, 11:36:41 PM
Water would be a common feature even at non shed locations, as steam locomotives take a lot of water and its heavy to carry.

The coaling at small locations could be pretty basic - think raised platform and a shovel. Even less when only handling small industrial tank locos and similar, some of which were coaled from a bucket in the cab !

The other feature that goes with having coaling facilities at a shed is an ash pit. Coal in, ash out, lots of ash!

Alan


Title: Re: Coal & Water area
Post by: lionwing on March 04, 2013, 08:42:53 AM
Thank you for the replies.

The era is somewhere around the 1920's into the early 30' - that's what I have in mind but generally I'm looking for a layout that is fun and enjoyable to operate.

The coaling and watering area is small and will be used by small pannier's.  I like the idea of a raised platform from which the loco's are manually loaded with coal.

It would make sense to have the water tower in the same location but I wonder (I think I have seen this in the past) a water tower located at a platform end?

I will check our the Scalescene links shortly - thanks Mike and everyone else!
Title: Re: Coal & Water area
Post by: MikeDunn on March 04, 2013, 09:05:15 AM
There's a stop on the S&C that has water facilities at the end of the platform ... sorry, can't recall the station name  :(

I think it was just a small water tower, as you say.  Must have a dig out on my photos, I have a pic of the train watering; might have a wide shot ...

Mike

[edit]

Here we are ... 6201 Princess Elizabeth @ Appleby Station.  Not (as I had thought) a Tower, but a Column.
(http://www.pixelsbears.com/images/Watering%20@%20Appleby.JPG)
Hope this helps ?
Title: Re: Coal & Water area
Post by: martink on March 04, 2013, 09:32:23 AM
You might also consider a short inspection pit such as the Peco kit.
Title: Re: Coal & Water area
Post by: glenng on March 04, 2013, 10:40:06 AM
Two photos of Holt station water Crain on the NNR.
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/60/thumb_3870.jpg) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=3870)
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/60/thumb_3871.jpg) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=3871)

My shelf layout Little Snoring refuelling point.
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/60/thumb_3747.jpg) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=3747)
Title: Re: Coal & Water area
Post by: EtchedPixels on March 04, 2013, 03:49:10 PM
Quote from: lionwing on March 04, 2013, 08:42:53 AM
It would make sense to have the water tower in the same location but I wonder (I think I have seen this in the past) a water tower located at a platform end?

You need water more than coal so that isn't uncommon. There were also plenty of places that only had watering facilities. Having watering facilities on the platform allows watering to occur without uncoupling and taking the loco for a walk (and also as a result freezing the embarking passengers nuts off in winter when there isn't any heating on the train when its parked up)


Alan
Title: Re: Coal & Water area
Post by: lionwing on March 05, 2013, 11:52:16 AM
Gleng

I note the small coal storage area accessed by a ramp with a small crane in your image of Little Snoring.  Is this part the shed kit or another kit?
Title: Re: Coal & Water area
Post by: glenng on March 05, 2013, 12:33:08 PM
 :hellosign: Lionwing the small coal storage area was made from a box of bits I got from eBay first time making something like that very happy  :D with the end result.
Title: Re: Coal & Water area
Post by: lionwing on March 05, 2013, 01:26:55 PM
I've got my eye on this at the moment...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350724596081?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:VRI&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2661 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350724596081?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:VRI&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2661)

Title: Re: Coal & Water area
Post by: Jerry Howlett on March 05, 2013, 04:01:09 PM
Looks ideal for a small shed.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Coal & Water area
Post by: keithfre on March 05, 2013, 04:29:39 PM
Where would the ash pit be at a small terminus station with a small engine shed (for one loco)?
Title: Re: Coal & Water area
Post by: MikeDunn on March 05, 2013, 05:15:01 PM
On the ground  :smiley-laughing:

OK, OK, I would locate it on the entryway to the shed - not right at the front, but close.  Either that or at the end of a slip ...

Over @ Tysley (not the same type of layout) they have the pits leading off the storage turntable lanes.  Here are two pics showing what I mean :
(http://www.pixelsbears.com/images/Tysley%20ash%20pit%20start.jpg)
(http://www.pixelsbears.com/images/Tysley%20ash%20pit%20end.jpg)
The pit is the length of the lane, and no more.

Mike
Title: Re: Coal & Water area
Post by: keithfre on March 05, 2013, 05:46:48 PM
Quote from: MikeDunn on March 05, 2013, 05:15:01 PM
Over @ Tysley (not the same type of layout) they have the pits leading off the storage turntable lanes.
So the ash pit could be like a shallow inspection pit under the track, rather than at the side?
Title: Re: Coal & Water area
Post by: EtchedPixels on March 05, 2013, 06:45:48 PM
Yep.. it would normally be near the shed and clear of anything related to working trains.


Title: Re: Coal & Water area
Post by: Jerry Howlett on March 06, 2013, 09:37:39 AM
Adding to this thread but Not applicable to small sheds. Didcot for example had a seperate large ash disposal area that was roofed over during WW2 to prevent the glowing embers being visible from above.