A typical coal mine run
I prefer just watching trains run. Occasionally, I would like to actually do something besides watch them go. The
following is something a little more than just watching. In addition to building models of structures, I'm a fan of
mechanics and electronics, so it's only natural to build in functionality to the models. If you're going to build a coal
tipple, I suppose it should also work.
following is something a little more than just watching. In addition to building models of structures, I'm a fan of
mechanics and electronics, so it's only natural to build in functionality to the models. If you're going to build a coal
tipple, I suppose it should also work.
Here's NYC #9000, pulling a string of empty hoppers,
emerging out of a tunnel, on it's way to the mine. Not
that the actual engine did such work, but it's my
railroad. To the right is the old tunnel, used before
the mainline was rerouted.
emerging out of a tunnel, on it's way to the mine. Not
that the actual engine did such work, but it's my
railroad. To the right is the old tunnel, used before
the mainline was rerouted.
After coming from the tunnel, the mainline crosses the
river. This is actually a removable span in front of the
door to the main viewing area. Included in this scene,
is the remains of the old bridges, for the original main
line.
river. This is actually a removable span in front of the
door to the main viewing area. Included in this scene,
is the remains of the old bridges, for the original main
line.
After crossing the bridge, the train passes through
River Junction, and diverts off the main line onto the
branch line into the mine complex.
River Junction, and diverts off the main line onto the
branch line into the mine complex.
After the run around (right), the engine grabs the
caboose and three empties, runs them into the tipple,
returns for the three others and places them into the
other tipple track. Then the caboose is returned out
to the main branch line track.
caboose and three empties, runs them into the tipple,
returns for the three others and places them into the
other tipple track. Then the caboose is returned out
to the main branch line track.
The engine returns to
the hoppers under the
tipple. As they're pulled
out, they're loaded with
coal. The tipple actually
operates from miniature
cables hidden from view,
by levers located under
the front of the
benchwork. The tipple
still needs some detail
work with ladders,
stairways, handrails, and
lighting. I also need to
build the mine itself,
which is currently just a
cardboard mockup,
barely viewable in one of
the pictures above.
the hoppers under the
tipple. As they're pulled
out, they're loaded with
coal. The tipple actually
operates from miniature
cables hidden from view,
by levers located under
the front of the
benchwork. The tipple
still needs some detail
work with ladders,
stairways, handrails, and
lighting. I also need to
build the mine itself,
which is currently just a
cardboard mockup,
barely viewable in one of
the pictures above.
After the first three hoppers are
loaded, they're dropped out on
the branch with the caboose,
then the engine pulls the other
three out as they're loaded.
These are brought back out to
form the complete loaded train.
After getting clearance from the
dispatcher, then train heads back
out on to the mainline, and heads
back to the yard.
loaded, they're dropped out on
the branch with the caboose,
then the engine pulls the other
three out as they're loaded.
These are brought back out to
form the complete loaded train.
After getting clearance from the
dispatcher, then train heads back
out on to the mainline, and heads
back to the yard.
Well, there you have it. Probably the
most hands on aspect of the railroad.
Actually, the only 'hands on' are for the
manual switch machines (one of which
is viewable to the right side of the
track, just under the end of the
caboose in the picture to the left). The
throttle and tipple door controls are
remotely operated, and the uncouplers
are magnets embedded under the
track. I would have use remote
controls for the switches, but this
portion of the layout was built during a
period of tight finances. I also figured
that since they're located on the outer
edge of the benchwork, it wouldn't
matter much anyway.
most hands on aspect of the railroad.
Actually, the only 'hands on' are for the
manual switch machines (one of which
is viewable to the right side of the
track, just under the end of the
caboose in the picture to the left). The
throttle and tipple door controls are
remotely operated, and the uncouplers
are magnets embedded under the
track. I would have use remote
controls for the switches, but this
portion of the layout was built during a
period of tight finances. I also figured
that since they're located on the outer
edge of the benchwork, it wouldn't
matter much anyway.
