This may seem like a silly question, but can I buy coal for my tenders? I have several brass Steamers that either have little or no coal in their tenders. Does anyone sell coal in a bag that I can build up in the tenders to simulate a full load?
Mike
Go to your LHS, even mine, not a model rr oriented one, has it, LIfe-Like, I think. Walthers catalog lists several different manufacturers. Check your weight, you may want to put in a false bottom if it is already at the proper weight or you may need to add some weight heavier than the coal.
Good luck.
Mike,
Woodland Scenics makes some nice realistic coal. Get the smaller grade called Mine Run coal. It will be the right size for the tender. (Edit: I’m pretty sure it’s Mine Run. They have Lump Coal, too, but I think that’s bigger. Anyway, you want the smaller of the two.)
Also, make sure that you also have some stray lumps scatter behind the apron, on top of the water storage area on your tender.
Tom
As stated, coal does come in bags. A lot of it is indeed real coal. If you have stoker engines, get stoker feed size. We have been conditioned by the manufacturers, who made simulated piles of coal in the tenders, to seeing scale foot long pieces of coal, so be prepared for the right stuff to look too small to your eyes at first. Even hand shoveled stuff was rarely over 4". Then you will do like me and paint your existing coal with white glue and sprinkle on the good stuff.
My tenders are loaded with real coal of the proper pedigree - the pounded down remains of a lump of Cumbres and Toltec locomotive coal (acquired in exchange for a generous donation.)
OTOH, my hoppers are loaded with (used) pool filter charcoal.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)