So i'm going to be building my first legit layout; I still haven't finalized a plan yet, because I need to know the answer to this question: what is the minimum curve radius that a 2-8-8-2 can run on (articulated)? I have one, and right now i just have an oval of eztrack setup that im assuming is 22" radius because its not quite the entire width of a sheet of plywood.
the other thing is about mine kits. I can't find any! I don't want to eat up space with the Walthers kit, and the only other one i'm seeing is the "Old Coal Mine" kit that model power and everyone else offers. I'm just looking for something smallish, that could handle 2 loading tracks, that would fit in with transition-era engines and can be built into a mountain.
any help would be great, thanks!
Take a look at the Cimarron 1 Mine kit - available via Micro-Mark website. Probably single track loading - but includes the headframe house and ore bunker. I am going to build the headframe house onto the side of a mountain. Ore bunker will serve a single loading track.
OK this is the third time posting this since the embedded controls on this forum keep deleting everything I type during a simple copy and paste so you get the short versions. LOL. AGHHH!
The Grover Cleveland Mine kit by N Scale Architects:
http://www.internettrains.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IT&Product_Code=NSA-10204
The Cash Mine Ore House by Blair Line
it looks big but it's pretty compact 4x4-1/2"
http://www.internethobbies.com/bllinsccamiw.html
Hope it helps.
Do a search here on "New River Mining", there was a thread last year with lots of pics of kitbashed and stock versions of this Walthers kit on various layouts. It should give you some ideas for mines, big and small.
There really isn't much else out there. If you want coal loaders you either scratchbuild or kitbash, or combine both.
Good luck.
Check out e-bay for the Suydam/California/Alpine models, these are the metal kits and there are a fair number availalble.
http://www.alpinemodels.com/page/page/2762608.htm
22 is ok, but really pushing it. You want 28" radius or better for more reliable operation.
Consider two barges, cranes and such as a source or destination for your coal.
Hoppers and more hoppers. If you find your driving wheels start to slip on many hoppers, stop buying hoppers or add a helper. =)
haha, yeah i know. It doesn't matter with the Rivarossi anymore... damn thing cant run on code 70 track. sooo that kinda solves that matter.
basically what i wanted to do was have a small branchline servicing a mine/small town that then brought cars to some sort of interchange yard for them to be sent out on long hauls to be loaded into barges or whatever.
i like the New River Run Mine, but its kinda big, and it looks too "modern" for what i want to do