Many years ago, as I started working on the track plan of my layout, I saw an article on the Reid's Cumberland Valley System. This picture of a power plant was included and I wanted to work in the concept of loads in - empties out.
I didn't have the real estate of a structure this large so I used the DPM Powerhouse.
I am finally getting to scenicing that area and realized it was going to be very difficult to hide the hoppers going into the side of the hill, plus you can see into (and through) the opening in the building. I started searching for that picture of the Cumberland Valley System to see how they had done it and when I found it I realized after all these years that I had misinterpreted how they did it. They didn't run the track through the power plant, it runs through the little building receiving the coal.
I am not about to alter the layout at this point to make this better so I just need to figure something out. I can't believe I hadn't caught on to this before. Maybe my cognitive skills are not just recently declining - they have been impaired for 30 years!
Rick
Well, I worked in/around power plants for over 30 years and I never saw a spur into the plant as shown in your lower picture that was used for the delivery of coal.
Yes, they did have a spur like that, but it was usually used to get turbine and generator parts onto or off the turbine deck onto a flat car using the turbine hall overhead crane.
In our hobby, with all the space constraints and other limitations, we just have to give ourselves allowance to do what we can to keep the layouts operational theme operative.
Chances are, if you don't point out your shortcuts, most others won't catch on. Generally, we are our own worst critics. I've had to make myself lighten up on the idea of having to be absolutely prototypical, just achieve the effect, and enjoy the results. That has helped me enjoy the hobby! Dan
I hear you. This is a mistake that I need to live with. I can always just use the spur to deliver supplies and equipment.
At least I have a long siding on the mine side.
maxman Well, I worked in/around power plants for over 30 years and I never saw a spur into the plant as shown in your lower picture that was used for the delivery of coal.
Not to be "there's a prototype for everything," but there are definitely small power plants or steam plants that have them.
The Bellefield Boiler Plant in Pittsburgh provides steam heat for the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University. It could hold 350 tons of coal indoors that came through this door.
https://www.railpictures.net/photo/9756/
Now that you bring up the Cloud Factory I realize the DPM Powerhouse would probably be best used as a steam generation facility instead of an electric power plant. That would certainly be an easy transition for me.
The UW, in Madison, WI., Charter St. Power Station used to get coal loads via a short spur. I think it could accomadate about 8 cars at a time. There was a small stub-end yard close by to store the cars.
Since then, the plant has switched to nat. gas, and the short spur has been taken up. The small yard is still there.
The spur they used was once the IC tracks that came into Madison from Freeport, IL.
Mike.
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