d winpenny Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 brilliant work keep it up david Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallows Close Posted February 5, 2012 Author Share Posted February 5, 2012 Just looked at the date from the last post on here - August 2011! Thanks for all the supportive posts. The cold weather effectively puts paid to my modelling on the main colliery boards. They are kept in the garage, and it is not so pleasent down there at this time of year. So, I decided to concentrate on some rolling stock projects - nothing exciting - a couple of repaints and the like. But that got me thinking about my idea for a rapid loader for the colliery. And I think I might just be able to make a working rapid loader.... I've ordered up some electronics and plastic, and made a scale drawing from photos and plans. This is how far I've got after the first day's building. The rapid loader is built on its own module to make it easier to service. It's all fresh air at the moment, but hopefully you can get an idea of the size of it. Finally here is an idea of how it will look once done. This is the loader at Taff Merthyr under demolition. Thanks for looking, Chris. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grid56104 Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 But that got me thinking about my idea for a rapid loader for the colliery. And I think I might just be able to make a working rapid loader....I've ordered up some electronics and plastic, and made a scale drawing from photos and plans. This is how far I've got after the first day's building. The rapid loader is built on its own module to make it easier to service. It's all fresh air at the moment, but hopefully you can get an idea of the size of it. Thanks for looking, Chris. Chris - looks as though you will have yours ready before mine - refer 'The Maxwell Colliery Loading Point'. I see also yours will be electronic. Mine will just be manual! Max Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallows Close Posted February 18, 2012 Author Share Posted February 18, 2012 Hello Max, and RM webbers, I have finalised the skeleton for the main part of the loader, and have made a start on the gigantic transfer house tower that sits at one end of the structure. Basing the model on the rapid loader at Taff Merthyr, this was a steel construction, whereas the rest was concrete - so out with the 'H' section. I have aslo installed the track and an apron through the main building as access will soon be difficult. I did make sure that I'd still be able to get a hand in there to clean the rails though! In the mean time I have also been busy with the electronics. As you can see in the photo above I have run some wires through the columns. These are for the Fulgurex motor which will power one ste of clam-shell doors on the loading bunker. Below that I have installed an IRDOT sensor from Clive Heathcote, which - when the infra red beam is interrupted - will operate the Fulgurex to open the bunker doors. A test run has proved that this will work with HAA hoppers, and also with the more modern bogie HHA wagons, each time ensuring the relay on the IRDOT opens and closes as the wagon passes through. Once the transfer house tower is completed I will begin cladding the skeleton of the structure, and then start construction of the inner bunker. I propose to build the bunker inner as a separate structure to slot in to the skeleton - more on this later. Thanks for looking in, Chris. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 cracking modelling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Banger Blue Posted February 18, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 18, 2012 Have posted this before, found on YouTube Class 56 action featuring the rapid loader at Goldthorpe Colliery 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallows Close Posted February 19, 2012 Author Share Posted February 19, 2012 (edited) Thanks for the Goldthorpe Colliery video - It is a great illustration of the sheer size of the rapid loaders. If you are interested to see the actual loading process, then this film from Silverwood Colliery shows an MGR loading, and the operation of the clam-shell bunker doors. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0U8h48C8ZYE Pure late '80's nostalgia - Long gone of course, but not forgotton. Cheers, Chris. Edited February 19, 2012 by Gallows Close 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee m22 Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 That Video is a real eye opener! Coal mining formed a major part of my Education so a big interest to me and fantastic to watch. But men on conveyors...Never seen that before! Not sure HSE would be happy with that these days On most layout's your rapid loader would be an impressive, overwhelming structure that draws the eye, but in your case I'll just stick to an impressive structure surrounded by many equally impressive structures, and really setting the scene for a major coal mine. It's great to see updates on the thread again as this is one of my favourate projects and your buildings and structures and breathtaking! Look forward to seeing more Lee 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRDBLUE17 Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Hi Chris Great looking layout you have and some very nice structures for it. I also found the video links very interesting especially 56 093 going through the loader. Shall enjoy watching this develop as I already am with Max's layout and his rather nice loading point! Keep up the good work. Mark 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallows Close Posted March 4, 2012 Author Share Posted March 4, 2012 Hello All, Thanks for your kind comments, and for following this build. But men on conveyors...Never seen that before! Not sure HSE would be happy with that these days I can report that riding conveyors is not only normal practise, but also lots of fun! I have been lucky enough to visit two working UK deep mines, and in both I rode conveyors! I also really appreciate your other comments Lee. Now, I have been busy again with the RLB (Rapid Loading Bunker) - and this is what I've come up with. I have built the interior bunker structure. Based on scale drawings and photos, this represents a rapid loader with three separate bunkers. For the model I'm proposing to make the centre bunker the operating one. Each bunker has three sets of clam shell doors - making nine sets in all. The Fulgurex motor will sit inside the bunker itself and operate one set of doors on the centre bunker. For the "coal" I have a ground lignite powder to represent 50mm powedered coal for power station use. For the doors themselves I think I'll play around with some 10mm diameter brass tube. The idea is that a quarter round will make one door with sides soldered on and a section of brass rod acting as a hinge. This is at least the idea! I appreciate any feedback, and comment - especially for the doors! Thanks for looking in, Chris. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallows Close Posted March 11, 2012 Author Share Posted March 11, 2012 Hello All, Not much to report, and no new pictures - But over the weekend I have finished the massive transfer house tower steelwork, and also made progress on the interior of the bunker itself. Last evening I satisfied a couple of hours with running various 'coal' types through the hopper and in to wagons waiting below. I discovered that my initial idea for 'coal' - a powdered lignite - was too fine to flow and required much poking to get down through the 10mm square loading chute. Next I tried a Hornby black scatter material - with again the same result. In frustration I resorted to my original plan A. This is crushed charcoal. In the Netherlands it is difficult to get real coal, so you have to make do with second best. Anyway, the crushed charcoal worked a treat. I just have to find a way to efficiently crush the stuff now! I also took advantage of the fine weather and made a few small repairs to the headgear on the downcast shaft in order to be ready to paint both the rapid loader and the repaired headframe together later on. Oh, and this morning... Mrs. G. C. is complaining of a fine black powder on the top of her bookcase - Now where could that have come from? Thanks for looking in, Chris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallows Close Posted March 18, 2012 Author Share Posted March 18, 2012 Hello RM Webbers, First up a quickie. Most British Coal collieries were at some point converted to skip winding for bringing mineral to the surface. This method replaced the more traditional winding of trams on standard double deck cages - two trams per deck. The skips were typically nine or more tonnes in capacity and were loaded at pit bottom and discharged at pit bank automatically. Two skips worked the shaft alternately. See below for skip winding in action at Sherwood Colliery in Nottingham. http://www.flickr.co...157626875446548 And my version of a nine tonne skip. It will be fitted with a replica of the skip plant to the downcast headgear in the unloading position. I have also managed to finish the upper cladding and roof on the RLB. A couple of shots below. I'll have to finish the workings of the loading bunker now before I can complete the cladding and set everything up for train loading. This is the bit I'm not looking forward to! Once working, it will all be painted. Thanks for looking in, Chris. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arpleymodeller Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 (edited) Superb work Chris, Kinsley is one of my favourite layouts on RM Web. Have you seen that Hornby is to sell 3x (old type) HAA MGRs under the Railroad brand for their 2012 range? Hattons is selling them for £14 for each 3 pack, which is a good price if you wanted to buy enough for a realistic length MGR. The detail isnt much different from the new type HAA, which are £18 each! Regards Lewis Edited March 25, 2012 by Arpleymodeller 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallows Close Posted March 25, 2012 Author Share Posted March 25, 2012 (edited) Hello Lewis, Thanks for the tip off regarding the HHA's. As it happens I'm busy with my first rake of 36 HHA's at the moment. I'm fixing the, ahem!, "flexible" arrangement for the wheel sets to make them less prone to wobble and re-wheeling them. The final touch is a Smiths instanter coupling, and air pipes. The whole rake will be weathered in a oner. I have ambitions for a second rake, so the railroad range may be a good solution. I can live with the deficiencies in the Hornby model, just because with a full train of 36 the overall impression makes up for the inaccuarcies of an individual wagon. During the weekend I have also made a start with the operating set of clam shell doors. Here's what I've come up with. The real thing can be seen here http://www.flickr.com/photos/nottsexminer/5381483793/ As you can see there is some tidying up to do, but at least they function. They are built up from half round strip, and plasticard bits. The pivots are brass tube and the gear teeth are from an old spur gear from a Ringfield motor cut in to quarters. Next up is to automate the thing before I'll add the other eight sets of doors to the loader. Thanks for looking in, Chris. Edited March 25, 2012 by Gallows Close 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arpleymodeller Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 Hello Chris Thanks for posting the photo of your HAAs, I look forward to seeing a full 36 wagon rake! I have space for 20 but it should still look ok. I think the new Hornby model will have metal wheels, which does improve the running quality, although they may still wobble a bit. Great work on the rapid loader doors, what do you plan on using for the 'coal'? Regards Lewis 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owentherail Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 Im loving this layout, i too am waiting for the railroad MGR wagons, ive 25 and would like 6 more and railroad sounds the way. like the railfreight heavy weight 37, is it a resprey? cheers owen. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallows Close Posted March 26, 2012 Author Share Posted March 26, 2012 Hello Lewis, what do you plan on using for the 'coal'? The jury is still out. I have a stock of crushed charcoal, which works well but it is difficult to crush and grade properly, so I'm looking for a better idea. I'm thinking about black volcanic sand at the moment..... Any ideas gratefully received. Real coal is difficult to get here in the Netherlands. Hello Owen, ..like the railfreight heavy weight 37, is it a resprey? The '37 is one of a South Wales trio on the workbench at the mo, all based on Bachmann '37's. I've done 37691, 37701 and 37702. The two Railfreight grey liveried ones are total repaints and the triple grey is a partial repaint. With a model based on Taff Merthyr for the colliery buildings you'd expect me to have a soft spot for the Welsh class 37's - and how could I not have 37702 Taff Merthyr? They all still need some small detail work and of course weathering. Thanks for looking in, Chris. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arpleymodeller Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 Hello Chris One suggestion I can think of is Woodland Scenics coarse grade cinders. Its sold in large boxes and can be used as ballast for engine sheds but would be suitable for loading your MGRs. Another advantage is that there is no dust to damage your locos like there could be from charcoal. Here is the URL for Hattons http://www.ehattons.com/41873/Woodland_Scenics_B1390_Ballast_Shaker_Coarse_Cinders/StockDetail.aspx Regards Lewis 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d winpenny Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 looking good, i have a set of the original haas and they do the job just fine in going to experiment with putting smaller couplings and need wheel sets on, have you just used standard metal wheels for yours? davis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grimleygrid Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 Nice Tractors Chris! I am especially liking the Original Railfreight examples. The ex-split head code 37/5s and 37/7s were always a favourite of mine. The photo showing the powerhouse and headframes with the Rapid loading Bunker in the background is superb. That is going to be one impressive layout when finished. As discussed before a nice Large Logo or Original Railfreight Grid leaving Kinsley Colliery with a loaded rake of MGRs will be right up my street! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallows Close Posted April 3, 2012 Author Share Posted April 3, 2012 Hello Lewis, I've had a look at your suggestions for coal. One suggestion I can think of is Woodland Scenics coarse grade cinders. It seems quite expensive - especially with postage! So Mrs. G.C. was allowed to help, and she came up with a similar product used for flower arranging displays. It costs a couple of Euro a pot. The material seems to be like fine glass pieces and runs quite freely through the loader, so I'll try to perfect the set up with this. Hello David i have a set of the original haas and they do the job just fine in going to experiment with putting smaller couplings and need wheel sets on, have you just used standard metal wheels for yours? I have just used the standard Hornby disc wheels as replacements - but they do make quite a difference. Hello Alex Nice Tractors Chris! I love the Welsh class 37's too. They will look the part with a rake of HEAs. Thanks for your kind comments.. Now, a question to the community. This is a Volvo L150C. The question is, when were these introduced, and did British Coal ever use any? From my research Caterpillar excavators were more common around my time scale which is 1989 - 1994 (nominally). Thanks, Chris. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eastwestdivide Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 Useful digger info here and here on Volvo's own site. 1995 onwards to save you the journey. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d winpenny Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 i think your substitute coal looks the part i don't know if the loader is accurate but i think it will still look the part david Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallows Close Posted April 6, 2012 Author Share Posted April 6, 2012 Thanks for the info and link. 1995 onwards to save you the journey. It looks like with the BM badge missing that my L150C loader is from 1997 or later. However looking at the info the original Volvo BM L150 was introduced in 1991, and there does not seem to be too much difference apart from the badging, which I can fix with some home made transfers I think. An L150, brand new in 1991 would be perfect for what I have in mind. Are there any other four wheeled loaders from that period available as models? Thanks, Chris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poindexter Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 JUst discovered this. Excellent scratch building, really impressed with the loader. Also loving the 37's, especially the detailed Coal Sector one. Considering all that has been modelled I'm going to ask a silly question..... What make is the dummy tail light on The HAA? Cheers Guy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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