Has anyone ever used one of these for any purpose on your layout? Kitbash or anything?
I had one when I built my first layout in 1993. It was sort of a piece of junk. It would be good for kitbashing. Perhaps you could paint it to look more realistic.
@Crabby44 that’s kind of what I was thinking. That it looks pretty useless and crappy as is, but has potential to be a good starter piece for a kitbash project.
On another note- has anyone ever done any kitbash on this one:
I decided to include the coaling station, as is, on my layout. It’s adjacent to the coal loader conveyor and operating dump car. I wish the station did something as far a filling coal cars, but thought it was too much to try and kludge something.
1 Like
I have the log loader and have used it as a static piece. I think it could be minimally useful if it were secured to the surface so that all the parts remain together and in the proper relationship with one another.
I used the coaling station along with two Plasticville coaling towers, the Sandy Andy loader, two Plasticville covered bridges, and some Scenic Gems trestle bents to make Lucky Silver Mine Shaft No. 1 for the town of Marmaros:
4 Likes
Yes @Lji1221 it is a big building I agree
Nice @palallin that looks like a pretty big operation there
My layout is somewhat small, and an L shape against two walls. My trains are serviced by a Plasticville coal tower, but I really like how these Lionel ones look. I already had to shorten my Lionel engine shed by about a third in order to make room for it to fit. Once my Lionel coaling station arrives I’ll let everyone know what I decide to do with it.
The boxes bring back memories of the 90s.
1 Like
Thank you everyone for sharing your photos!
I want one
Want one of those too! 
. Excellent wood graining!
Thank you @pennytrains
I don’t have much experience with model painting. Fortunately, flat acrylic craft paint is very forgiving for this type of thing. I am learning that it works well for these type of dry brush techniques. However, using it full on, so to speak, in a thick coat, is not so great.
1 Like
Just for fun- three Lionel bricks.
Left to right:
1990s water tower, 1970s engine shed, 1990s coaling station.
1 Like
Try a diluted wash and let it flow into the cracks and crevices and evaporate in place. Here’s an example of washes I did to make tree armatures out of 26 gauge wire and hot glue:
Just letting the wash go where it wanted to.
5 Likes
Those trees turned out good!
1 Like
Beautiful work with the wood!
Thank you @palallin
I am thinking that @pennytrains should conduct a master class for us on trees
Agreed! That tree looks great!