Group,
I have several LBF Bethgon Coal Porters that are part of my CWEX fleet. The problem is that I don’t know what coal loads fit them. I already have loads for my Walthers cars, but now have more empties than loaded. It’s a little expensive to purchase products, only to find out they don’t fit. Any ideas? Did E and C Shops or LBF make specific loads?
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Len S.
I agree that buying commercially available coal loads can be pricey, so I make my own.
I start with a piece of .040 styrene (Walmart “For Sale” signs are a cheaper source), cut a little smaller than the inside dimensions of the coal porters.
I rough in a shape using foam and glue this to the top of the styrene sheet. I have found that black acrylic paint (water base) works well to color the foam.
I use a sheet of wax paper, and insert the “coal load” into the porter. This prevents the glue in the following steps from gluing the load to the car.
I have a friend who works at a coal-fired power plant and he brought me some lumps of coal that I grind up. I “paint” the foam with straight white glue, then sprinkle the coal on it. Commercial coal ballast works, as well.
Once the glue is dry, I add another layer of coal, then glue in place like I do track ballast.
When the load is dry, I pull out the load, remove the wax paper and put the load back into the porter.
I sure hope this helps.
I ordered my walthers wood chip loads from him. He has good products at fair prices.
ratled
I ordered my walthers wood chip loads from him. He has good products at fair prices.
The MR book Done in a Day has a good article on making coal loads.
http://kalmbachcatalog.stores.yahoo.net/12458.html
By the way, this is one f the better MR books in a long time
ratled
Len, Making your loads is one option, however if you are looking for some really great production ones, contact Motrak Models. Jeff, the owner is a past club member. The quality of his work is fantastic. He did many of the master molds for a considerable amout of our club castings. http://stores.ebay.com/Motrak-Models_HO-Scale-Loads_L-B-F-E-C-Shops_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZQ2d1QQfsubZ2613479QQftidZ2QQtZkm
Most all the loads used at our club are the Motrak. These are some pics of them in my P2K composite hoppers
If you want permanant loads i make a cardboard pattern that fits the car. I cut .025 styrene using the cardboard pattern. Strip styrene about .060 square is cemented on the inside where the slope sheet starts to support the sheet styrene. After the styrene is installed some bathtub sealer is applied to make the seam watertight. Coal is then added and glued using the soap water and Elmers glue method.
The wax paper trick mentioned above is also great. Just make a form the same size as the car add the wax paper and then make the load the same as a permanant version.
The E&C shops cars are the same as the LBF cars. Loads are available here… http://www.dansresincasting.com/Coal%20Loads.htm
Thanks. That’s the stuff I’m looking for.
If you want to make your own loads, this is what I did.
Cut a piece of blue/pink foam to fit in the car, leave a little head space as real loads settle. Shape the top as desired. If you want to unload easily, insert a washer in the load and purchase a pick up magnet at your local automotive store.
Place a piece of Saran Wrap over the car and press the load into the car. The wrap protects the car from the paint.
Paint the top of the load with black latex enamal paint. Sprinkle some proper sized coal over the top of the wet paint. When the paint is dry lift the load out, remove the wrap.
Makes a nice looking load, uses up scraps of foam, little expense.
Good luck,