Coaling
Stage
Every Steam Loco
Depot needs a coaling stage, this will comprise of a coaling crane
& buckets but first thing first we need the surround first!!!

Above Left;
The coaling stage walls will be made
up of sleepers cut to the height of a open La wago door, they are
glued & fixed with pins minus the heads. Below; The
ends have a 8mm MDF base to make it a bit stronger, I decided to
have the track section for the coaling crane up the middle, I have
just spiked this in place to the MDF & reinforced it with a
bit of glue. Above Right; I used some off-cuts of rail to
form the upright surports & spike them onto place. The MDF,
bottom of the up-rights & sleepers will be covered with coal,
weeds etc when finished.

At this stage
the inside is complete, to finish the outside I have to run a wire
rope around the the top down about 12mm.

Above Left;
A small diameter wire rope is attached around the side using
staples made from the off cuts of the dress makers pins! Above
Right; Secured in place awaiting the coaling crane & of
coarse the coal. Below; Coaling stage sits all finished
waiting for the crane & the buckets to be arrive or finished!!

Coaling
Buckets
Below Left;
These are made from a piece of pipe
38mm inside dia/ 45 outside dia. Below Right; I spun these
down in the lathe to a finished height of 40mm & the top ring
42mm. Below the ring is finished to 40mm.

Below
Left; A bottom is glued in position made
from 1mm styrene & is finished off by sanding smooth. Below
Right; Find the centre of the bucket & mark it on both
sides, make a pivot point to mount the lifting handle which is
made from tie wire. The eyelets are all form using needle nose
pliers & patience. Note the
rubber band around the handle to hold together so a larger circle
of Styrene can be glued into place.

Below Left;
A closer look at the finished lifting
detail!! Below Right; 3 completed Buckets ready for
painting & filling with coal of coarse!!


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