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Anyone else use foam to make coal loads? That's what I did for my modern unit train. Photos and thoughts about how I did it are posted on my blog at http://cprailmmsub.blogspot.com/
I don't know, but I just like the feeling of my engine really pulling a car really loaded with coal or something that is the same weight and looks the same. But that is a cool Idea.
Looks very good to me, just like real oil-drenched coal! Must be the specular reflections from the cell walls of the foam. Does it look as good live (as opposed to in a photograph)?
I did the same thing. I made 60+ car loads for free. found some used foam at work and a half used semi gloss spray paint. I did form the foam so it had a hump in the center and tapered off at the ends. the only thing I would like to do diffrent would to use a finer foam so it looks better up close. Right now I think its has to much air cell space. I like how yours looks and bet it would be even better with a hump in it.
The shape of the load depends on how the car was loaded, and how close to/far away it is from the loading point. Coal can do a lot of settling during a long trip.
During the 1930s, my dad was sent up to the Big Four tracks near his home to collect coal that had fallen from passing trains.
The coal looks good in person, too. Like most things on a model railroad, it's a matter of keeping the dust off it--a light feather duster does the trick.
looks pretty good to me..I used woodland scenics coal for my hoppers..Though I put in a styrene false floor in the top half of the car to limit the amount I had to put in..
Anyone else use foam to make coal loads? That's what I did for my modern unit train. Photos and thoughts about how I did it are posted on my blog at http://cprailmmsub.blogspot.com/
The shape of the load depends on how the car was loaded, and how close to/far away it is from the loading point. Coal can do a lot of settling during a long trip.
All the coal I've seen come through here on UP and BNSF (so I assume it's Powder River coal) has a mound in the middle. However, I think John's coal load looks great. The creativity and artistry of people in this hobby never cease to amaze me.
I actually spray painted the interiors and tops of all the cars flat black. When I did it, I lined up the other cars behind the one being painted so that the overspray would land on them and add to the weathering effect.
