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[quote user="tomikawaTT"] [quote user="Rob"]I was wondering what all of you running coal railroads do regarding operations of hoppers. Do you use empty cars and actually fill them with scale coal so they can be emptied and filled during sessions?  I would like to get away from the factory plastic coal loads in my N scale hoppers so when they return to the coal fill area they are not already "full"  Running all full cars just doesn't seem realistic, as well as the plastic loads look to uniform for my small truck dump coal area. (I'm new to coal ops so forgive me!)   Any ideas?     Thanks ----Rob[/quote] There are several possibilities for simulating the proper movement of coal: Removable loads - pop 'em in at the loadout, pull 'em out wherever.  PRO: No problem if derailed.  At worst, the load comes out of the car as a unit.  CONS: each car should have its own, dedicated load - one size does NOT fit all.  Quick insertion requires good hand-eye coordination.  Removal is easier, if it's properly planned for (such as using a magnet to extract the magnetic load from a non-magnetic car, which is, literally, a snap.) Those plastic coal loads, if left loose, will work for method 3.  Imbed a finishing nail in the underside to make them magnet-compatable, then dullcote them and add a little WS or other loose coal to vary the contours of the loads a little.  Make sure you can positively identify which load goes in which car. Quite a few people have recommended pool-filter charcoal for simulated coal.  Others swear by (or at) the genuine article.  I lean toward the former for hopper car loads, the latter in tenders and tank loco bunkers. Coal railroading is operation at its purest.  Enjoy! Chuck [modeling both 1 and 2 above, in 1:80 (HOj or twice - N) scale] [/quote]   I love your recommendations above!  I will put a finishing nail into the assembled load and have magnet-pull out (from a hidden crane!)  Also I will look into pool filter coal. Thank you!   Regards, Tom M.
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