Locomotive Ash Facility Questions....

Hi!

I’m building a new HO layout, postwar era with both steamers and 1st generation diesels.

On previous layouts, I’ve built an ash facility for a single track. On this one, I would like for one “tower” to take care of two adjacent tracks. Was this done in the real world?

I suspect it was, with perhaps a metal conveyer pulling ashes from the furthest track over to the tower and buckets. I just find it hard to believe that a large loco facility would have just one ash facility or multiple towers to handle each track. Obviously, I’m not sure of that and ask you help.

At the PRR Crestline facility they had a two track pit area that was serviced by an overhead gantry crane. It would scoop ash and then dump it into a railcar. Go to www.crestlineprr.com , the home page it will guide you to photo’s of the pits being constructed as well as in use.

Wow, that is pretty cool.

mobilman, looks like your two track ash pit facility will meet the prototypical standard.

Rich