Ash Loads

[CBQ Fan]

What are you using for ash loads that are dumped into gondolas from an ash pit?

[nkalanaga]

Arizona Rock & Mineral used to sell bags of ashes.  But I would think that locomotive ashes, unless they have a lot of cinders in them, would be basically powder.  If that's the case, there wouldn't be much texture, so carving a block of wood, or foam, to shape, then painting it, should work fine.  It would also be a lot less messy.

To be fair, I've never been around steam locomotive servicing facilities, so I could be way off.  But that's what the bag of AR&M ashes I have look like.

[johnb]

I remember an old Model Railroader article that used cigar ash, ground up...

[randgust]

You could probably take about any coal load plug, paint it medium gray, coat it in white glue, and then sprinkle real ashes on it.   

If it turns out to be a disaster, soak it back off and repaint it.

[DKS]

I use a little of the stuff from the bottom of my grill in much the same way as @randgust

[CBQ Fan]

I use a little of the stuff from the bottom of my grill in much the same way as @randgust

Even more reason for it to warm up so I can fire up the Weber again!

[Maletrain]

I am a little confused about what "ash" from a steam locomotive looks like.  How is it different from the grimy black "cinders" that we see in rail yards, sub-roadbed fill, etc.?  I would think that the really fine, "fluffy" stuff would get sucked up the locomotive stack by the forced draft over the firebox, and it would be the cinders that are left behind to get dumped into the ash pit.  But, I was so young when that was actually happening that my Mom wouldn't let me go play in an ash pit, so I really don't know.

[CBQ Fan]

I am a little confused about what "ash" from a steam locomotive looks like.  How is it different from the grimy black "cinders" that we see in rail yards, sub-roadbed fill, etc.?  I would think that the really fine, "fluffy" stuff would get sucked up the locomotive stack by the forced draft over the firebox, and it would be the cinders that are left behind to get dumped into the ash pit.  But, I was so young when that was actually happening that my Mom wouldn't let me go play in an ash pit, so I really don't know.

Good point. I guess cinders get dumped into an ash pit.  So cinder loads.

[Joetrain59]

I have plenty of ash from my pellet stove for the asking. LOL.  And, I get clinkers in the fire grate. The ash is very, very fine. I save some of it for use in the garden.
 All kidding aside, I don't think you want to use real ash.
 Joe D

[nkalanaga]

I don't know about coal ash, but wood ashes plus water makes lye.

Cinders can be modeled with a sand or gravel load, painted.  They'd probably be finer than ballast, and not neatly graded.  Fine dirt would actually work well, sifted through a tea strainer or other fine mesh.  Then paint to suit.

AR&M also used to, and may still, sell cinders in various scales.

[nscalbitz]

Make or use a fine coal load, but add white glue after then sprinkle (or dry brush) with incense ashes.
Multiple shades from different varieties gives the 'shape' and texture appearance some variation, just like you would get from a laod that has 'evolved' over a few weeks period.
Don't fill up a gon- remember it is light product, so a low load is used.
davew

[OldEastRR]

I would think ashes would go flying out of a gondola as it was pulled along in a consist. Perhaps "ash pit" was just a name for the clinkers dump. Why RRs not call it a cinder dump, who knows?

[nkalanaga]

Maybe because that's where they emptied the ash pan?  Even if the ashes went up the stack, most solid-fuel locos still had an ash pan, to keep hot embers from falling from the grates onto the ties.

[nscalbitz]

I would think ashes would go flying out of a gondola as it was pulled along in a consist. Perhaps "ash pit" was just a name for the clinkers dump. Why RRs not call it a cinder dump, who knows?

I responded per the OP specific question;  "What are you using for ash loads that are dumped into gondolas from an ash pit?"
The operational machinations were not entered into.
"Dumped" is probably wrong also, as in steam days when labor was cheap, they'd be shovelled cool sideways to a holding vessel (take your pick), for redistribution to the local dumping area. Was it sold to someone to make lye? Or was rampant commercialism alive and well in the steam era for mass produced 'health' products.
I know my grandparents and parents made it well into the '30s and possibly '40s in this outpost.
regards davew

[fire5506]

At one time cinders were mixed with cement to make cinder blocks. You could see that they had a grayish tinge to them and you could see black specks in them. Today you get concrete blocks. The cinders and powder is actually the ash from burning coal. Most people think of ash as a powder, but it is the remains after an item has burned.


Richard Webster