Coal loads

[SVLR]

How do people simulate coal loads in wagons, I was thinking of breaking some up then glue in place using PVA. This would be done on top of some lead ballast for extra weight. Be good to know peoples thoughts.

[Big Jim]

Pretty much what you suggested. A drop of washing-up liquid in diluted pva helps it sink in better.

[ge_rik]

I've made my coal loads removable so I can run down the line as full and return as empty. The real coal is glued with PVA on to a plywood platform mounted on blocks .....

IMG_3136.JPG (23.74 KiB) Viewed 6626 times

IMG_3132.JPG (26.88 KiB) Viewed 6626 times

..... so the load can be removed easily

IMG_3167.JPG (33.38 KiB) Viewed 6626 times

Rik

[SVLR]

I've made my coal loads removable so I can run down the line as full and return as empty. The real coal is glued with PVA on to a plywood platform mounted on blocks .....
IMG_3136.JPG
IMG_3132.JPG

..... so the load can be removed easily
IMG_3167.JPG

Rik

That looks ace, like the idea of it being removable. Do you think its a good idea to put some lead in the wagon or fixed under to try and keep th C of G down?

[ge_rik]

That looks ace, like the idea of it being removable. Do you think its a good idea to put some lead in the wagon or fixed under to try and keep th C of G down?

My opens are fairly weighty already as they are made from resin castings. I also use metal wheels which gives more weight and reduces the c of g

Rik

[philipy]

I agree with what evryone else has said. Nothing looks more like coal than coal and I've always used it crushed, in all the scales. PVA glue it to a frame, a slab of polystyrene, or lead blck, but remember to paint the base black first, so that any gaps which develop subsequently,don't show.
As for CoG, to some exent it depends how much you are using, but a 3 or 4mm thick slab on top of the floor of the wagon isn't going to be much different to it being under the floor.

[FWLR]

Great tip for the removable coal loads Rik.

[JMORG]

We use coal glued to a polystyrene base (brush painted black) with weight between the solebars. This keeps the c of g to wheel level. They're generally removable, with coal dust glued into corners and gaps in the planking.