Hi Guys. Am building a Coaling dock based on an article in found in MR January 1966 & would like to make it a working model. I model in HO & G scale & am building this in G. I have searched the net, but without success so far, for info on how the unloading chutes work. I’ve found that the unloading chute itself may be raised/lowered to suit different locos, but, how does the apparatus work to stop all the stored coal from running out ?? Your help is greatly appreciated. Regards Kamel
The chute simply guides the coal to the place in the tender where it belongs. Actual flow control is through a vertical gate flush with the front wall of the bunker. Usually, the chute hangs off chain slings and is moved by cables and attached ropes or handles (and is moved sideways to distribute the coal so it doesn’t pile up in one place.) The coal gate is usually metal, moves in solid tracks and is usually controlled by a solid lever.
There is a short fixed chute at the gate. The movable chute is maneuvered under that and set up at an appropriate angle before the gate is opened.
Chuck
Thank you. The info & pics are great. All I have to do now is build it. Regards Kamel
I’m most curious to know how you will be modeling the consumption of coal from the tenders.
Mark
Hi Mark, Thank you for your query. Although I am building the coaling stage in G scale as a working model, which is about 8 ft long including the trestles & approx 2 ft high with the storage bin about 2 ft 6 in long x 1 ft wide x 1 ft high, with 2 unloading chutes, for my purposes it is not really intended for use to coal-up locos. Although I do run live steam, they are butane fired, whereas the others are track powered. The main purpose of the coal stage is to provide a steam-up track that is accessable from both sides for serviceing of locos. As far as consumption goes, the unit will be used to fill hopper cars which in turn can then be used to fill the coal stage, thus providing work/industry for the layout as a whole, Regards Kamel