Coal Storage/Shed - Official Work Thread

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

Another project for this weekend is completing the new coal pocket.  A temporary bin was built this week, near where the roundhouse will go.  The timbers are in place and we have to put plastic and plywood down to make a "floor" for the coal.  A few more timbers should be placed along the back.  The bin must be all set since we may be getting coal as soon as next week.

The good thing about the temporary location is that it will be next to the spur when we extend it this Fall.  When the track work is done, engines can then pull down next to the pocket for coal, no more carrying buckets around the shop building.    

[Richard "Steam" Symmes]

Where are you getting the coal from?  What grade is it?

[James Patten]

Where are you getting the coal from?

Underground! 

I think it's Pocahontas coal. 

[John Kokas]

Boy!!  Had to dig deep for that one James. 

[Richard "Steam" Symmes]

Okay, I set that one up for you.  Nice catch!

Seriously, where are you getting the coal from.  We live steamers used to get coal from a dealer down in Braintree next to the S.E. Expressway. They eventually went out of business.  Now we buy coal in 50lb bags from Aubuchon Hardware stores.

Do you have a local coal dealer up there?  What do they charge per ton?

[James Patten]

The coal is from Penn Keystone Coal Company.

[Richard "Steam" Symmes]

And where might Penn Keystone Coal Co. be?  How do you get it?

[Steve Smith]

Richard, type the company name into google.com search box and one of the hits will be that company's website, which I think has all the particulars.

[John Kokas]

Penn Keystone is HQ'd in Claysburg, PA  they have several sites and supply both Bituminous and Anthracite coals.  Mines in PA, WV, and OH.

I assume we are buying Bituminous as #10's firebox is not setup for Anthracite, although a blend would probably work.

Here is a link:  [http://www.penncoal.com/default.php]

[Steve Smith]

So James, have I got it right that the temporary coal pocket will be about where picnic benches have been?

[Fred Morse]

Yes, the coal pocket will go near where the picnic tables are. We got the extra timber for the coal pocket. There was plenty of food left over from Sat. as not many people showed up due to Mother's Day and rain.

[John McNamara]

I've always wondered whether we could get an old dump truck body someplace. Assuming it wasn't rusted out (a big assumption), it would provide a three-sided enclosure with a bottom. Further, we could move it as required.

-John

[Wayne Laepple]

There weren't any old dump trucks in the heyday of the WW&F!

Seriously, the folks at MNG keep their coal in an old cargo container. I imagine one could add a pair of wooden "runners" under one to make it somewhat portable.

[Jason M Lamontagne]

Maine Narrow Gauge has used a smaller size container in the past.  Such a rig with a trailer axle, so it could be towed as a trailer, and hidden behind a nice wooden fence for us, might be a lot cheaper and more versatile than the previously discussed concrete mega-coal-plex.  

see ya
Jason

[Wayne Laepple]

A mobile coal wharf! What a concept!