Small loco coaling stages

[David Holman]

Would like to add a coaling facility to Belmullet's single road loco shed. What are the prototype options? Presumably, a wagon of loco coal on a parallel track is the simplest, though am thinking a small, sleeper built and maybe covered stage would make a nice scenic feature.

Probably got a picture somewhere, but nothing springs to mind.

[RichL]

Ballynahinch and Downpatrick definitely had open wooden coal stages

Edited November 6, 2019 by RichL
forgot to attach photos

[David Holman]

Excellent! Particularly like the overall concept - big pile of coal on the ground, presumably shoved straight out of the wagon door, then with the neat rows of baskets making it easier to load up the tender/bunker.

Many thanks.

[Mike 84C]

Hand coaling  may also explain why in photographs, Irish tenders are not rammed full of coal unlike their British counterparts. Which often was like rubbish when you needed to burn it.

[David Holman]

There speaks the voice of experience, methinks!

[Irishswissernie]

At Enniskillen even though there appears to be a coal bank complete with a crane to load the coal it seems that the coal loaders preferred to transfer it straight from wagon to tender! Some hefty lumps of coal on view.

22April1953 AL class 59 HC Casserley photographer.

Given where Belmullet is I imagine that if it had existed the M&GWR would have probably provided a concrete coal bank and not much else.

Ernie

[David Holman]

Nice one. Guessed this might be the usual practice in many places. However, given coal was a somewhat less available commodity than on mainland Britain, it must have been tempting for locals to pilfer a lumps from time to time.

 There is a lovely story about Maggie Coulter's goat on the Clogher Valley. It used to stand in the track and only moved when the crew pelted it with lumps of coal. As a result it was said 'she never lacked for a heart for her fire'.

 Been trying to find a goat for Fintonagh, but no luck so far...

[jhb171achill]

2 hours ago, Irishswissernie said:

 

Given where Belmullet is I imagine that if it had existed the M&GWR would have probably provided a concrete coal bank and not much else.

Ernie

The Midland tended to build to last, and had the Belmullet line existed, you're looking at a platform-level bunker adjacent to the water tower (as opposed, usually, to a water column), made of cut stone with brick edging.  Examples at Clifden. Achill, Killala, Loughrea, would be good models to replicate. Can't recall right now, but it was probably the same at Athboy, Killeshandra and Ballinrobe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Irishswissernie]

The remains of the Westport one can be seen on the left:

Ernie

[David Holman]

A thought just triggered and hey presto, p130 of a Rails to Achill, with an eight foot high wall around the coal stage. Could be tempting and certainly a bit different.

[jhb171achill]

That's the one, David - fairly standard Midland structure. The one at Clifden survives complete (as does Achill).

[PorkyP]

As regards hand coaling, in Ireland there was never a shortage of lads willing to do a bit of heavy shovel work for a couple of shillings..