German Coaling Stations

October 13, 2010

Ian has a comment and question on coal stations. Perhaps readers would like to share their views on the subject. Use the comments link below this posting.

“Why did the German railways use such a clumsy way of replenishing their coaling stations? According to all the model makers, the coal was delivered in gondolas/open wagons. Plucked out by a crane with a clamshell scoop, then dropped into the overhead coaling station. The dregs would need to be scraped up with shovels. Australian/British/US stations were easier to load: a long ramp to drop the coal straight in from hopper cars, or a hoist which ran up the back.”