Looking for N scale coal handling equipment

[wazzou]

That may make a good kitbash base too, perhaps using a bucket from a smaller HO model.   

Blair Line makes a decent truck dump.   I'm actually sitting at my workbench working on one as I'm typing this.

Or you could, I don't know, buy the one he already makes with a bucket.

https://www.shapeways.com/product/ES63DZ4AQ/cat-988h-bucket-loader-n-scale?optionId=68982617

And, when did Blair Line start making vehicles?

[DeltaBravo]

Or you could, I don't know, buy the one he already makes with a bucket.

https://www.shapeways.com/product/ES63DZ4AQ/cat-988h-bucket-loader-n-scale?optionId=68982617

And, when did Blair Line start making vehicles?

Nice one!

[Petty Cash]

Or you could, I don't know, buy the one he already makes with a bucket.

https://www.shapeways.com/product/ES63DZ4AQ/cat-988h-bucket-loader-n-scale?optionId=68982617

And, when did Blair Line start making vehicles?

I did not even look to see if he did, I just followed the link to the log loader.  The Blair Line kit I referenced is a truck dump, not a vehicle.   Just figured I'd mention it, since it fits in theme with coal handling equipment.    I sincerely apologize for any error in my ways. 

[wazzou]

The Blair Line kit I referenced is a truck dump, not a vehicle.    I sincerely apologize for any error in my ways.

No need.  I wasn't trying to be an a$$.  I just misread it as Dump Truck.  My fault.   

[Petty Cash]

No need.  I wasn't trying to be an a$$.  I just misread it as Dump Truck.  My fault.   

I didn't figure you were.   Just figured perhaps I shouldn't have posted without looking further into things, especially the loader.  That may be handy on my layout if I ever get around to building it though. 

[James Costello]

Or you could, I don't know, buy the one he already makes with a bucket.

Glad you could find it - I sure as heck couldn't....

[mu26aeh]

Here is a shot I took while waiting for lane to clear to drive thru.  Look at the size of the bucket compared to the dump truck    This is one of the FEL they use to load the rail cars

[Burlington Bob]

If you want a big endloader for a 70"s-80"s era mine the old Matchbox Cat endloader would be a good approximation of what was used at that time.  The cab is really the only thing that would need any work to make it a scale model because the cab would be a little large to represent a 988.  The 988H from Shapeways would be about 30 years too new for that era, but would be great for something in the last 10 years or so.  I operated both a Cat 988 and a Clark 275 to load semis with coal from the stockpile.  Less than 3 buckets to fill a truck to legal load limit. 

One other thing that has been touched on.  A rock bucket has teeth on the bottom edge to dig with.  A coal bucket can be about twice as big and will have a straight lip with no teeth, just a smooth cutting edge.  Coal is much lighter than dirt or rock, so another thing to consider would be to add side boards to the trucks that you use to haul coal with, if they have low sides.

I worked for AMAX Coal from '76 to '83 and for Komatsu for 12 1/2 years.  This equipment is HUGE!  A 988 would be about 17 feet high at the top of the cab and have about a 24 feet clearance for dumping.  If you want a large loader on your layout and it doesn't compete size wise with the train cars its used to load..................it isn't big enough.  A company would go broke if it took two hours to load a hopper.  That's why this equipment is so large.

[NtheBasement]

Another approach is to model a flood loader: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzmBQ4As_mc&t=8s
Or for older timeframes a batch loader:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71J0_mq1_TU

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Another approach is to model a flood loader: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzmBQ4As_mc&t=8s
Or for older timeframes a batch loader:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71J0_mq1_TU

That batch loader has promise, but neither of these are really accurate for either of the facilities I'm looking at for inspiration.

Like I said, Anthracite loading in the 80s was FAR different than most bituminous coal loading.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

If you want a big endloader for a 70"s-80"s era mine the old Matchbox Cat endloader would be a good approximation of what was used at that time.  The cab is really the only thing that would need any work to make it a scale model because the cab would be a little large to represent a 988.  The 988H from Shapeways would be about 30 years too new for that era, but would be great for something in the last 10 years or so.  I operated both a Cat 988 and a Clark 275 to load semis with coal from the stockpile.  Less than 3 buckets to fill a truck to legal load limit. 

One other thing that has been touched on.  A rock bucket has teeth on the bottom edge to dig with.  A coal bucket can be about twice as big and will have a straight lip with no teeth, just a smooth cutting edge.  Coal is much lighter than dirt or rock, so another thing to consider would be to add side boards to the trucks that you use to haul coal with, if they have low sides.

I worked for AMAX Coal from '76 to '83 and for Komatsu for 12 1/2 years.  This equipment is HUGE!  A 988 would be about 17 feet high at the top of the cab and have about a 24 feet clearance for dumping.  If you want a large loader on your layout and it doesn't compete size wise with the train cars its used to load..................it isn't big enough.  A company would go broke if it took two hours to load a hopper.  That's why this equipment is so large.

Fantastic. And yep, this stuff IS huge, and I want to do that justice.

[wazzou]

The 988H from Shapeways would be about 30 years too new for that era, but would be great for something in the last 10 years or so. 

Completely agree, but until there is a 988B, this is what is available, sadly.

[James Costello]

Completely agree, but until there is a 988B, this is what is available, sadly.

And just making sure the paint and lettering is correct for the era would go a long way to making it not look out of place.

[southernman]

Theres a timely article in the latest issue of NScale Magazine on how to make a front end loader from a key chain toy. You might want to check that out.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Theres a timely article in the latest issue of NScale Magazine on how to make a front end loader from a key chain toy. You might want to check that out.

Thanks!
Will do.

And just making sure the paint and lettering is correct for the era would go a long way to making it not look out of place.

It's amazing what that'll accomplish.