PRR Coal

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

I am finishing my HO, South Amboy locomotive servicing yard and have some questions about the coal size used by the PRR. I want to spread some coal on the ground by the bunkers and fill some hoppers.

I would think there were different sizes of coal used by the PRR and would need their dimensions. The hobby stores sell so many different sizes of coal in HO it is impossible to know if the sizes are correct.

If anyone knows the prototype coal sizes or particular HO coal sold by a hobby distributor I would appreciate it.

Thanks, Doc

2

Doc.

Before stokers were common they used a mine run coal that was sized from about 4 inches all the way down in size to dust. When stokers were in mass they enlarged to six inch chunks to dust in size. Coal size was not consistent and the RR bought what ever was the cheapest that still burned. Consistent size spillage would not look right. Variety is key.

Pete