Got another one for the forums: On Thrall gondolas, how far down from the top of the cars does the coal sit. I purchased some custom loads that fit my MDC Thrall cars but at least to me, the they sit too low in the car. I can modify the underside of the loads to lift up the loads if need be. As usual, any suggestions anyone can offer would be most welcomed.
Shapes and positions of coal loads varied. It depended on the operator and equipment at the loadout as much as anything.
This load is relatively tall, with a rounded profile...
While this one is lower and flatter.
Rob Spangler
Based on what I've seen in hoppers, I'd guess gondolas to be pretty-full, too.Here are a few examples:
This train has just finished loading at Logansport, PA, and will soon be turned over to the Norfolk Southern at Schenley:
Here's another near Enon Valley, PA. The loads have settled a bit:
Here's the tail end of another coal train, doing some street-running in Brownsville, PA:
Not all of the loads simply settle, though, as evidenced by this one, also near Enon Valley:
Wayne
Given the era I model, I would give the first set of pictures a little more credence for what I need (ACI era). However, if anyone has any photos, first-hand knowledge, etc. about the practices from the coal loaders out of Colstrip, MT, that would be even more helpful. (Burlington Northern) Lacking that, I will leave the loads as they are and do a little bit of clean up work on the cars. (The ladder mounting holes are showing a little too much for my liking otherwise.)
FRRYKidGiven the era I model, I would give the first set of pictures a little more credence for what I need (ACI era).
As an aside, the photos I found are of cars acquired by the D&RGW from other owners, pictured well after the ACI requirement was dropped. The first photo is from 1995, the other was dated 1982.
wp8thsub FRRYKid Given the era I model, I would give the first set of pictures a little more credence for what I need (ACI era). As an aside, the photos I found are of cars acquired by the D&RGW from other owners, pictured well after the ACI requirement was dropped. The first photo is from 1995, the other was dated 1982.
FRRYKid Given the era I model, I would give the first set of pictures a little more credence for what I need (ACI era).
I guess the DRG&W wasn't real agressive about removing the ACI tags from their cars.
FRRYKidI guess the DRG&W wasn't real agressive about removing the ACI tags from their cars.
Almost nobody was. There was no requirement to remove them, so it was rare for the ACI plate to be taken off. Surviving cars from that era for the most part still have the plate, either painted over or weathered until it's illegible.
One thing I would suggest is that you make sure to vary the height and facing of the loads from car to car, and possibly bolster one end of the load more than the other. Loose loads like coal or gravel did not shift about identically or even mound into the cars identically. The general shapes were similar, but not uniform, so with cast load pieces it helps the look to take some extra steps like this.
Interiors and people figures make such a difference. Especially the people.