By Peter De Keles

Author  Bio I wanted to have a more realistic coal load for my tenders. With my $5.00 in hand, I went to PetSmart.

I'm sure we all look at every little item we see a little differently than most people. We have to be a little more creative than other train hobbyists. We just can't bust out the Walther's catalog and order what we need.

So, every item we run across has the potential to end up on our railroad. This $5 project will show how I came up with more realistic coal load for your tenders.

The factory coal loads for my tenders are less than realistic. I'd rather they save a plastic tree and not put any load in.

I took my $5 and headed off to PetSmart. My wife was worried because last time I went to PetSmart I adopted an Animal Shelter dog. No worries this time, it wasn't an adoption day. In the "Fish Supply" isle you will find a plethora of charcoal filter products. I found a product for $4.69 that I thought would work.

I remember from past experiences with "fish charcoal" that it was very dusty. This product was completely dust free. I didn't do anything more complicated than put full strength "White Glue" down on top of the factory coal load. I poured the coal directly from the bag and used a small paint brush to move the coal around so there was an even disbursement of the product.

I took some coffee stirrers and cut them to fit the front of the tender where the coal is supposed to be shoveled. I think it gave it a more realistic look than the factory mold. A little bit of stain on the coffee stirrers and I was ready to put these Tenders back in service.

I used 2 of the 3 bags of charcoal for the two Tenders. I'm sure I will find a use for the 3rd bag, if I remember where I put it. I was happy with the results and I stayed within the $5 requirements of the project.

If you're going to spend the money...

Since we have a fish tank and use filters with the charcoal already, on fish tank cleaning day, I just open up the filter and dump the charcoal out in a old plastic container, let it air dry, and now I've got myself plenty of 'coal' to re-load the tenders.

Matt Kirichok - 11/09/2012 - 15:52

Look alike coal

I have been using aquarium Activated Carbon from Walmart for a good many years for coal look alike. It is inexpensive, comes in a 9 oz. container and will make several coal cars. I have not converted my coal tender over yet. I feel a project coming on!

Ron Hill - 11/09/2012 - 19:34

Looks Great

Thanks for the article. The results look very realistic.

Bill Ness - 11/10/2012 - 04:53

Great Idea

Great idea to recycle your "Coal" from the fish tank. Thanks for adding that suggestion.

Peter De Keles - 11/10/2012 - 07:25

Ah ha

Thanks for sharing. I have been scavenging chunks of coal for years to do a project like this. The problem is, mashing up the coal creates a lot of dust. This sounds like such a better way to get the effect I want. Thanks again.

David A. Maynard - 11/10/2012 - 14:25

Thanks and - The start of something new?

Thanks Peter! I have a jar of aquarium charcoal sitting on my shelf for the same purpose, but was wondering about how to best attach the "coal". I'll give the white glue a try. I like the idea of the $5 project. Is this something we can hope to see more of? Can LSOL members submit their ideas (maybe under the old Project X category?)

Dennis Olsen - 11/11/2012 - 06:12

Comment

I, like the above, love the idea of finding something worthwhile, but designed for a different purpose. GREAT concept on your part Peter! I would also love to see future articles like this, it's called "thinking outside the box" and seems pretty necessary and NORMAL for our scale...Elaine

Elaine Haggenbottom - 11/11/2012 - 06:49

Thanks

Thanks for the great input. I do plan on doing more $5 projects. I am working on 2 more and the next one should be ready in a couple of weeks. Anyone who has a $5 project, if they wish, can submit a write-up and pictures to me and I will turn it into an article for them.

peter de keles - 11/12/2012 - 08:38

By the way

Also, my cars are always on the rails. If you have to move your tenders from storage to track you may need to do the diluted white glue trick to secure the entire load.

peter de keles - 11/12/2012 - 08:40

coal loads

Great article on a great idea. I thought my idea of gravel and painted with black gutter sealant, but the can of sealant was $12.00. Thanks for sharing. Gary

Gary - 11/13/2012 - 15:50

Modern Day Coal Load Appearance

Great Idea! I am now building a CSX coal train and this is a great idea. One note for "modern" (i.e.2012) coal loads: I live near a CSX main line and there is an over pass from which I have observed the south bound coal loads leaving SE Kentucky. The loads today (as opposed to pre-80's) are created (top of the load is struck off flat) to just slightly above the top of the hopper. This results in a flat-topped load with small, steep angled, slope on the load on all four sides. To duplicate this I take a 1" thick piece of styrofoam insulation cut to fit tightly into the empty hopper. I then take the block to the table saw I cut a slope of about 30 degrees (from about the center point between the top and bottom of the styrofoam block) on all sides. This results in a 60 degree slope from the top of each side to the center of each side. The remaining "flat" portion on each side is used to wedge the block down into the hopper and tack it with a little water based glue. Any solvent based glue will dissolve the styrofoam!! (lesson from the SOHK) NOW I can apply Peter's idea of glue + charcoal filter particles for a very realistic looking "modern day" coal load. I was told that by creating the loads at the yard where the hoppers are loaded it reduces coal loss of coal substantially during the haul.

Tom Knight - 11/16/2012 - 17:12

Top of Page