Fuel for the steeds....coal stage

The last piece of infrastructure on the layout was the coal stage. Scratchbuilt from timber and made to represent the type seen around in the 1950s. Inspiration was the ones at Adelaide Station yard. I added another 25mm of baseboard over the switching panel next to the running shed along the front to accommodate it. This small intrusion on the switch panel along the front of the layout was negligible and is still reasonably protected from straying elbows!

A piece of timber glued in to the
same level as the baseboard.

The stage constructed from timber from
the Northeastern Scale Lumber Co. range

Complete ready to stain...includes
a simple water column.

Tested for fit in position.

Using thinners, I add small amounts
of black and a rust like colour. 

The stage has been stained
and ready to install.

Heaps of coal then needed to be added
and I use lumps of Balsa-wood carved
and painted black.

Cover the black painted balsa-wood
with glue and scoop on some crushed
coal.

To simulate coal heaps, I use real crushed coal. Balsa-wood makes an easy medium to use as the base, can be carved easily and then painted with a Matt black paint. Once the paint is dry, cover the mound with PVA glue and scoop on some crushed coal.

The stage fits the scene nicely.

Completed scene.

The scene now complete with a coal and water supply.