There seems to be some disagreement as to where the cells or bins should be located in relation to the siding. Again, I used to believe they backed on to the siding so the coal could be off-loaded from wagons over the back wall of the cell - which seems logical - as in this picture of an 00 gauge layout.
However, after reading the above discussion there was some dispute as to whether this was based on reality. There are some photos showing various arrangements on the RM Web forum but I also did some research of my own and came up with two examples - both in GER territory (coincidence BTW) which seems to show them some distance from the relevant sidings - and facing them.
Clare station
![Image](http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/c/clare/aerial%203.jpg)
.
Saffron Walden station
![Image](http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/s/saffron_walden/saffron%284.1929%29walden_old20.jpg)
.
I can only assume the poor station staff had to wheelbarrow the coal from the wagons across the yard to the bins.
Can anyone shed any more light on how coal was stored in railway yards?
Rik
BTW - all the images above use embedded URLs linked to the originals and so I assume I am not contravening any copyright.