Hopper load "How to"

This is an excellent "How to" and very timely as I'm changing the focus on my railroad to coal and have a big bunch of empty hopper cars crying for loads.  I especially like the fact that each and every load will be different - just like the prototype.  I've seen some model coal trains were every hopper was mysteriously filled exactly the same way - ruining the effect.

Keep up the great work on these "How to" articles in The Scenery Scene!

Rick

Very interesting read.

Two thoughts that occured to me as I read the article.  If you wanted to use a similar method to load an ore car with iron ore, you could do it, just remember that if the ore is relatively pure (as the pellets were coming out of the Eagle Mtn. Iron mine destined for the Kaiser Steel mill in Fontana, Ca) the load should be no more than about 25-30% of the aparent car capacity.  The second thing I wanted to pass on, is that instead of using a Kaddee uncoupling magnet to unload the cars, Home Depot, Lowes, Sears, and Harbor Freight to name just a few sources have inexpensive, telescoping, magnets designed for mechanics to use to fish bolts, nuts, or tools dropped in an engine bay.  Many of the smaller ones are about the size of a ball point pen with a pocket clip.  One of those gives you an easily stored magnet with a handle.

Woodchip hoppers

I plan on using this method for woodchip gons on my layout. Goodness knows I have enough scrap foam and sawdust...

Any strong magnet works

You're right Russ, any strong magnet works for unloading. I just happened to have the Kadee magnet on hand. In addition to unloading hopper cars I also use it to pick up pieces of ferrous crud after In install track or finish ballasting.  Strangely, I don't have any of these magnets installed under the rails for use as uncoupling devices!

Charlie

Charlie what a Great Idea

 I have this huge pile of foam pieces from1/2 inch thick by 6 inches square to 30 inches wide by 60 inches long and most is 2 inches thick so any time I can get ideas on how to use up some of this stock pile and I do mean pile (as I have enough to model the Alps in it entirety in G scale or re-insulate my house twice and that's what's left over after taking 2 pick up truck loads to the recycle center of the smaller stuff) I jump on these Ideas and I could never use the foam all up with your idea it's a start. As well are my Mountains

Dan

Very good!

Now I know what I can use all those small pieces of pink foam for!  Thanks for the good idea!

Hey Charlie

If you were going to do coke loads instead of coal loads, what color would you paint it then?  Any other changes you'd make?

Quick loads

Excellent, helpful article. I have a micro/mini layout and occasionally run coal hoppers. The illusion is destroyed when the 'empty' hoppers are returned to the car ferry with their loads in place. Magnets and fender washers...who knew? 'Guess what my project will be for the coming weekend?

Thanks,

Ray

one evening

I've made this way my hopper loads:

Wolfgang

Identify the loads

If there's more than one type of car in coal service, use a Sharpie to write the reporting marks and car series (DRGW 73xxx) on the bottom of the load. It saves people jamming loads into cars that aren't quite the right size. One layout I operated on had them marked 'Concor 70T' and 'Athearn 3-bay' and so on. Not real helpful.

Hopper Loads

That sure seems to beat my technique as I used a foam bottom also but then added layers of rock or coal, but too much as it made the hoppers top heavy. I will try the thin layer technique but wonder how the corners will look?

Cheers, Jake

Love these 1 evening projects

Another great "how-to" article - again the pictures are worth a thousand words - makes it simple enough for me to do it! Thanks.