I'm just wondering if there are any published photos showing the use of something remotely like Hornby's R8131 Operating conveyor for loco coaling operations. An ex-LMS location would be ideal.
I am well aware that some present day heritage railways use similar but smaller systems.
TIA
Dave W.
If it resembles a farm elevator then yes ish, and it is LMS. The photo (from memory) shows a conveyor being used to load loco coal hoppers with blokes shoveling coal from a pile onto the belt. The conveyor resembles the Langley N Gauge farm elevator but with a narrower belt. This was in a book from the 1930s, I think it was 'How it works and what makes it go', one of my Dads childhood reads. If I can find it I will scan and e-mail you the pic but dont hold you breath as most of my kit is in storage at the moment.
Regards
Mike
Many years ago I recall a photograph of a "Britannia" (Flying Dutchman, if memory serves corrctly) being coaled by a small conveyor system at Stockport Edgeley shed. I haven't seen the currently Hornby catalogue, so don't know whether this snippet of information is of any use - I hope it is and apologies if it isn't. The photo was in an article about improving the (then) Tri-ang "Britannia" in (I think) the now long-defunct Model Railway Constructor. David Costigan
Thanks. That is worth further investigation!
Dave W.
Dave. Since my earlier entry I have now seen the current Hornby catalogue and the R8131 is much bigger than the one I mentioned. I have had a quick look around other sites but cannot find a picture of anything similar to the photo I saw long ago. The conveyor in the photo was relatively small; it was clearly movable by being pushed/pulled around the MPD; obviously there was some form of motor attached which drove the continuous conveyor belt. When in the "operating" condition the top end of the structure/arm carrying the belt was high enough to overlap the raves of a tender; the angle of the arm relative to the ground was (probably) no steeper than 45 degrees. The loose coal was put on the moving belt at ground level, the moving belt took it up and over the tender side sheets and it dropped in off the end of the arm. Sorry I can't be more specific, but having seen the Hornby catalogue did not want to inadvertently lead you towards an embarrassing situation.
David C
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