Daley Train Log
Page 23
This morning I began working on my coaling tower kit. It is almost 3/4 completed. This is an important structure in the time of steam engines, as the coal tender behind the locomotive required both coal (for heat) and water (for steam). The coaling tower has a part that is below the surface. Normally this would require cutting a small hole in the table top, but I can see how I can place it so it hangs over the edge of the table. I will cut a couple of pieces of wood from some scrap 1 x 3 pine to make a foundation that will support this tower.
I also noticed how the kit was photographed on the box. The ground cover is a light tan (sand?) and there are small piles of coal (black) scattered about. I will try to duplicate this but will also spray some black paint around to simulate the coal dust.
I went downstairs to take a few photos and spent a little more time looking at the box cover as well as the instructions. I will have to cut a small hole in the layout table as I now realize that there is supposed to be a track running behind the coaling tower as well as in front of it. The track behind the tower is where the coal is dropped off into the underground pit. The track in front of the tower is where the locomotive takes on the coal. I continue to learn.
There is also a sand facility. I can recall my dad mentioning that the locomotives sometimes needed to spray sand on the track while going up a grade in order to increase the traction. The locomotive would receive its sand (from a small sand tower) at the same time as it was taking on the coal.
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coaling tower assembly |
coal pit with track |
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box & instructions |
box |
The thought is now coming to me: I will need at least one steam locomotive (with DCC & sound). I love this hobby.
I had no idea when I began working on this model this morning that I would be finished assembling it today.
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All that remains is to paint the ground cover a sandy color and then add a little coal. Rumaging through stuff that I bought a few years ago when I thought I might be able to use some "coal" around my coal mine at Black Diamond, I found a bag of lump coal. Thus I will now paint the entire ground sandy and then sprinkle some coal on top of it and spray it with liquid cement to firmly attach it to the ground.
Oh yes, and I need to lay the track in the right place in the Jasper townsite and then cut a small hole for the below ground part of this coaling tower.