Ash Plants

[Stevo28]

Does anyone have any information about or know of any pictures of ash handling facilities at loco sheds other than those which had the large concrete structures as modelled in Scenecraft and Superquick ranges, which I think were found only at the larger sheds. There is a useful picture in the David Heys Collection (Rail Modelling page No 48) of the sort of thing I’m looking for http://www.davidheyscollection.com/page48.htm. I know in the small sheds it was simply shovelled out by hand, but I’m looking for a smaller installation to go with the Ratio coaling plant kit.

 

Thanks

 

John

[Mike 84C]

On the Western, a shallow pit perhaps 4ft deep and it would be emptied by a man with a shovel. Lots of pictures out there. Look on Flicker Banbury 62 to 66 is I think the title.

[Steamport Southport]

Probably depends on what railway and what era. Mechanisation came in when labour got expensive and some railways embraced it more than others.

 

Didcot for example only had an ashpit next to the coaling stage ramp. They did have an ash shed during the war though to stop the glow being seen by bombers.

 

https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/article.php/310/the-1932-engine-shed-when-new

 

Widnes had a similar arrangement.

 

http://www.8dassociation.btck.co.uk/WidnesLocomotiveShed8D/8DShedCommemorativePage

 

Both are/were fairly large sheds.

 

Also worth pointing out that pits outside the shed are usually inspection/oiling pits rather than ashpits. You wouldn't be very popular if you dropped your ash there.

 

 

Jason

[TheQ]

I think they look like this.. 

http://www.royaltankregiment.com/store/product/ashplant-0105