Coal Mining Operation roster

[Anonymous]

I'm currently working on a small N scale 3x4 foot Mining layout. I'm a college student trying to continue my interest in the hobby in my small apartment. I'm trying to figure out what I need for my roster of cars and for any vehicles that might look good on site. Here's a description of the layout to give you an idea of what I'm doing: It's 1993. The main line runs down one long side of the layout. I have a passing siding and a spur coming off the main that leads up a hill and around the mountian to a small coaling operation. I have 4 holding tracks, a very small engine house, and office, and some other small buildings on the site. There a pretty cool kitbashed coal facility with two tracks running through it and a door where semi trucks could also pull through.

Are Semi's used for anything in this typw of operation? If so, how? My holding tracks hold about 10 small hoppers each. I have those. What other kinds of cars would be there? Do I need a boxcar at all of anything for parts, etc, such as a flat car or something? And would a semi be totally out of place here?

This probably isn't in an extremely high mountion, hard to reach place so assuming trucks could get there, would they?

Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,,


Chad

[Anonymous]

I am not sure if I can answer your questions. But I am in HO and I have a walthers coal mine that will be unbuilt for some time.. other projects on the table. However, I have already decided on 15-20 Athearn Blue Box type coal cars the majority would be a major RR such as the B&O and the minority would be the WM. I have acquired these cars as well.

My engine is capable of handling this coal train. The Mine will have three coal loading tracks for the hopper cars with a runaround. The capacity will be about 21 cars total.

Bring up the semis anywhere you want to.. Mines are very appetite for various supplies, Fuel and Lube supplies, Machinery, chemicals (guessing here) and even a small accomodation for passenger service to transport the miners in and out.

I recall in Kentucky there are alot of coal trucks and they are quite heavy. If you were modeling a modern flood loader then you can imagine a power plant that requires your train of coal asap.

I was told in no uncertain terms that a typical power plant's burner will consume up to about 4 coal cars an hour and that up to 60 days supply is on hand.

N scale is a good way to do alot in a small area. I am currently working in a limited area.

I wish you best of luck!

[Anonymous]

I'll include a hopper semi, and a small bus. and a few boxcars here and there. anybody else have any other ideas?

Thanks

Chad

[Anonymous]

Ok. I'm not very good at research. I can never find the right sources. Can anyone point me in the right direction as far as where I can go to get some more info on this topic?

Merry Christmas everyone!

Chad

[GDRMCo]

QUOTE: Originally posted by chadryan
Are Semi's used for anything in this typw of operation? If so, how? My holding tracks hold about 10 small hoppers each. I have those. What other kinds of cars would be there? Do I need a boxcar at all of anything for parts, etc, such as a flat car or something? And would a semi be totally out of place here?

1. Semi's aren't used for anything in this type of operation as it is far to expensive to ship coal by road.
2. You might wan't to have the occasional box travel with the train to the mine to represent a supplies load and a flat with spare parts would fit right in.
3. Get semi's out of your head. Of course they would be totally out of place!

[ericsp]

Some coal is shipped by semi-truck. If the power plant is close by or the railroad does not go to the mine (and a conveyor is not an option) chances are that the coal will be shipped by truck. If you are modeling a surface mine, then you could have the large dump trucks in it.

A boxcar bringing in supplies is unlikely in 1993.

As far as railroad hoppers, I do not know what companies make modern hoppers in N scale. Look for 3 or 4 bay hoppers, they might say 100 ton somewhere, and they should have roller bearing trucks. Also, alot of coal is shipped via specialized gondolas.

[Anonymous]

Trucks certainly can have a place on your layout. Coal truck dumps at rail sidings were and are common. Not all mines have the convenience of a rail siding served on a regular basis and truck the coal to the rails. While some are small operations where a truck may back onto a platform and dump directly into a hopper, some are enormous oiperations. Here's one in Wyoming that loads 6,000 tons per hour: http://www.r-s.com/projects/B9H708.htm
The dumping operation is done within a large building and coal carried by conveyor to the loader.

These may not exist in Australia but they do in the US.

Wayne

[coalminer3]

You will see trucks hauling coal to cleaning plants where it is processed and then loaded (depending on plant location) into railcars, barges, or both. Trucks vary in size from tandem axle dump trucks to larger trail dumps (I negotiate my way through packs of them every day going to and from work).

Common makes seen in this part of WV include Mack, Ford, some KW, some Peterbilt; they vary in age and condition. Trucks used at surface operations are much bigger; you see lots of stuff from Cat.

4NScale's web site has all sorts of coal cars available in N scale along with approtpriate vehicles.

Other trucks seen at mine sites include water trucks for roads, fuel trucks, lubricating trucks, trucks with portable welders, utiliuty vehicles, etc. Pickups are used to get around at surface mine sites and at surface area of underground operations.

Also don't forget to include front-end loaders, dozers, and a motor grader as well. Again these can be of any make and model. Manufactueres here include Deere, Komatsu, Cat, etc.

BTW, equipment manufacturer's websites have a wealth of color photos, information, etc.

Hope this helps.

work safe

[Anonymous]

The semis would have the short dump bed trailers (25-30 footers because of the weight. They could be used to haul off the debris-rock mixed in or covering the coal seam. Also, I'm sure there are still small customers that don't have rail service and must receive coal by truck.

[Anonymous]

The Bridges in Kentucky have special signs for Coal Trucks.. capacities in excess of 60 TON has been posted. Me? I am just 18 wheels and 40 ton Anything heavier can be found in Michigan with the B-Trains.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by HighIron2003ar

The Bridges in Kentucky have special signs for Coal Trucks.. capacities in excess of 60 TON has been posted. Me? I am just 18 wheels and 40 ton Anything heavier can be found in Michigan with the B-Trains.

for your semi's and 'road interests' :
1/ as an alternative- have a small space that is a building being dismantled- the 'old' portion (and therefore basic unscenicked tracks adjacent) with a rust covered area of old concrete, steel fragments and maybe a partial wall still standing, weeds all around the edges and rusty drums and beams out back...

2/ or the 'new' concrete area with fresh beams and prefabs, new laid track, platforms and cranes ready to erect a new building.

Justa thought,
cheers, dave