J&C Studios O Gauge Archive

O Gauge / O Scale Forums and Individual Blogs
for Model Railroading

What is the J&C Studios O Gauge Archive?

J&C Studios O Gauge Archive

O Gauge / O Scale Forums and Individual Blogs for Model Railroading

What is the J&C Studios O Gauge Archive?

(Guest)

JCS Archive

Great Engine Facilities of O Gauge

Mercer Coaling Silos

This topic is also posted here:

Don Masso

Mercer Coaling Silos

Don Masso
Joined: Jan 23, 2011
Topics: 4 Replies: 23 Topics: 4

My Archive Category |

posted Jul 16, 2013:

Along the New Haven line, in Stratford, CT., is an abandoned coal facility that was known as Mercer Coal. This was several blocks from my house and we rode our bicycles passed it.

I am trying to duplicate the structure and have it partially built and primed. Not sure if I will paint it the original white or a concrete color.

TRAINS4U2C2
Joined: Oct 4, 2009
Topics: 43 Replies: 71 Topics: 43

My Archive Category | My Website

posted Jul 18, 2013:

Don, that looks pretty good, nice job. What are you using for the cylinders, what diameter and height are they ?

Doug

Don Masso
Joined: Jan 23, 2011
Topics: 4 Replies: 23 Topics: 4

My Archive Category |

posted Jul 18, 2013:

Doug. thank you. I am using PVC pipe with an outer diameter of 3.5 inches and twelve inches high.

Don Masso
Joined: Jan 23, 2011
Topics: 4 Replies: 23 Topics: 4

My Archive Category |

posted Jul 21, 2013:

Added roof supports.

Don Masso
Joined: Jan 23, 2011
Topics: 4 Replies: 23 Topics: 4

My Archive Category |

posted Jul 23, 2013:

I painted the concrete areas with Rust-oleum multicolor textured rattle paint. I used #239121 Caribbean Sand which gives the silos a nice surface.

Don Masso
Joined: Jan 23, 2011
Topics: 4 Replies: 23 Topics: 4

My Archive Category |

posted Aug 2, 2013:

Current shot. Need to paint the coal hoist structure as well as many other features.

Don Masso
Joined: Jan 23, 2011
Topics: 4 Replies: 23 Topics: 4

My Archive Category |

posted Aug 4, 2013:

A few more shots. Safety ladder installed. Need to add lettering, paint windows and coal chutes.

Don Masso
Joined: Jan 23, 2011
Topics: 4 Replies: 23 Topics: 4

My Archive Category |

posted Aug 4, 2013:

Don Masso
Joined: Jan 23, 2011
Topics: 4 Replies: 23 Topics: 4

My Archive Category |

posted Aug 4, 2013:

TRAINS4U2C2
Joined: Oct 4, 2009
Topics: 43 Replies: 71 Topics: 43

My Archive Category | My Website

posted Aug 5, 2013:

Don, This is really looking good, I've been following your progress and trying to imagine how it
operated in real life. Can you describe how it functioned, how did the coal get into the cylinders ?

Doug

Don Masso
Joined: Jan 23, 2011
Topics: 4 Replies: 23 Topics: 4

My Archive Category |

posted Aug 5, 2013:

Thank you Doug. I have not figured how the silos got the coal. I do know there was a train track on the back side where the coal cars dumped into a pit. The coal went in a bucket up the center hoist. Once it got to the top is where I do not know the next step. There are catwalks in the top. Did someone dump into another bucket and it ran across the I beam? Part of the I beam sticks out on the left with a pulley system and a counter weight. If anyone knows the answer, please pipe in.