Water, Wood, & Coal Sidings

[Steam1800's]

Tom,

No problem with your help on this end! Appreciate it!

Allen

[altterrain]

Just as an extra bit of information loco fire wood should be somewhere around two feet long.

There was an interesting discussion on firewood length on the bachmann board 

- http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,598.0.html

and I recently made some for an Annie tender in 1.5 inch length to replace the plastic wood load.

 

 

-Brian 

[ttrigg]

Allen:
Every now and then I enjoy getting a little long winded in my explanations.  Especially if it is on a subject I like to talk about, and have a reference source at hand so I make sure I'm not blowing steam up your skirt.

[Steam1800's]

Howdy John,

Thanks for the additional info!

Allen

[John Busby]

Hi steam 1800

Just as an extra bit of information loco fire wood should be somewhere around two feet long.

Your coal burning locomotive you could probably get away with only having  the coal stage at each end of the line and in the middle of the line.

I am assuming you have a reasonably large line

It should be remembered that at one time a days work was concidered to be 100 miles a day which fits in quite well with the 4-4-0

regards John

[Steam1800's]

Tom,

Thank you!  I guess I should have been a bit more specific, but your info is valuable and I will take it into consideration.  I first was thinking of a 4-4-0 American Wood Burner and five passenger cars on the main line.  Next would be a mogul coal burner hauling a freight consist on the other main line.  This would all be predominately in the rockies similar to the D&RGW.

Also, I might note that when you posted the info on the new bird houses at Michaels, I might also add that those other thatched roof bird houses that the other fellow mentioned are also found at your local Walgreens!  I know I have another question, but darned if I could remember it.  I will after I hit the post button.  Ha!  Thanks!

Allen

[ttrigg]

Is anyone familiar with how far apart along the main line are water tank, wood storage, and coal storage sidings placed?
Allen

Allen:
The answer to this question has many variables.  Was the train crossing the prairie, or snaking up through the Rocky Mountains?  How large were the tenders? (What was the capacity of fuel and water?)  Were the trains short, two or three car? or were they long freight consists?

I know that this may sound like an evasive answer, but generally supplies were placed at about two thirds the "cruising" range of the normal engine and consists traversing the line.  Wood burners relied heavily on the local farmer or rancher for cut wood.  Someone would leave a pile of split wood along the rail line with a "coin box" or money pouch.  If the engineer wanted to stop and pickup wood the conductor would leave some cash behind.  (Same thing occurred along the rivers for the steam boats.)

Using the D&RGW as an example:  The line between Colorado Springs to Denver had two water stops along the way.  Going "up hill" from the Springs to Denver the smaller engines would stop twice for water, and use about 65~75% of the coal on board.  The return trip being down hill did not consume as much coal or water.  The larger engines (or rather larger tenders) could make the trip without stopping.  The line between Antinito Colorado and Chama New Mexico, (about the same distance), took three times the time and four time the coal and water, because it was climbing through the Rockies.  Supplies were also available at any scheduled stop for passenger or freight/mail service.  Scheduled stops did not always have a train station, sometimes they were just a "shade structure", somewhat like today's weather protected bus stops, three walls, a roof, and something to sit on.

If you meant to ask "how far apart should I be placing fuel and water supplies on my GRR?" I would say to do so at every place you have designated as a stop.  If you are running a single main line with a couple of passing sidings, then  would also put a water tank at each siding.  Again using the D&RGW as an example, they would typically (terrain dependent) put a water tank on the main line at the west (or south) end of a siding.  The east bound could replenish water, pull into the siding, the west bound could stop on the main line at the tank, thus allowing the east bound to continue on while they took on water.  Since a load of coal will drive the train farther than wood, a few wood piles at places of interest would look very good.

I hope this will give you an idea of tank spacing for your line.  I would only add that, If it looks good, do it, if it doesn't look good then move it.  The most correct definition of what looks good, is within your eye balls.  Don't do something JUST because someone here said to do it that way, unless you LIKE the idea.

[Steam1800's]

Is anyone familure with how far apart along the main line are water tank, wood storage, and coal storage sidings placed?

Allen