Ash Hoists

[nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org]

Thanks for the compliment Jim. From the information I have, there were only 
two modern ash handling plants built before the switch to diesel 
locomotives. One at Williamson terminal and the other was at the Schaffer 
Terminal. They were a take off from ash handling plants for large industrial 
coal burning furnaces.
I learned about the modern ash handling plant from the book, "Steam 
Locomotive Coaling Stations and Diesel Locomotive Fueling Facilities" 
Compiled by Thomas W. Dixon, Jr., TLC Publishing
http://www.tlcrailroadbooks.com/cgi-bin/tlcstore.pl?user_action=detail&catalogno=x22

It was only a couple photos and some text, so I started to do more research. 
I have to say I got very lucky.

Another source is the April 1947 issue of Trains Magazine.
http://index.mrmag.com/tm.exe?opt=I&MAG=TRN&MO=4&YR=1947&output=3&sort=A

Also I was able to find a copy of Vern French's book "The Norfolk & Western 
Railway: Williamson Terminal - 1953"
http://index.mrmag.com/tm.exe?opt=I&MAG=BOOK&MO=2&YR=1992&output=3

I searched the VA Tech site, before the change, and found a few other photos 
I didn't see before. If a detail is in the photo, it's on the model, even if 
it's hidden. What I couldn't see in the photos or find in writen text, I had 
to guess at. Modelers license, if you will. Then I found a few more photos 
after I started construction. Oh well, some of the guess work wasn't too far 
off. I still don't know what the long objects were that run parallel to the 
outer rails between pits, so I'm leaving them out for now. I still have 
other details, like the light poles and piping, to add when the model is 
placed on the layout. 
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-2/1148725/finltpole01.jpg

Basically It's scratch built from Evergreen and Plastruct styrene strips, 
sheets and tubing. The brick pump house walls are cut down DPM plain two 
story wall modules. The silo was kit-bashed from a Model Power Grain Silo. 
Handrail are brass wire.
I know the model isn't an exact in every detail, but I feel it represents 
the prototype idea.

Presently I'm working on building a two bay N&W "Lubeitorium". It's like a 
Quickie Lube for locos.
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-2/1148725/nw193.jpg
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-2/1148725/nw842.jpg

When I started the project, I only found photos of the two bay facility. It 
was outfitted with banks of florescent lights. I was stuck for quite a while 
trying to figure out how to make HO scale florescent lights. But I think I 
was able to make a reasonable  facsimile of them.
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-2/1148725/FLORESCENTLAMP1.jpg

There's more on how I made them on Model Railroader Forum
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=58247

I started more than a year ago here.
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=33172






>From: nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org

>Reply-To: N and W Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>

>To: "N and W Modeling List" <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>

>Subject: Re: Ash Hoists

>Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2006 07:52:38 -0400

>

>Gary,

>

>Thanks for your response and the information.  I'll check out the Walthers 

>model as it appears very close to what I believe was at Shenandoah.  The 

>model would require some modifications but otherwise appears to be a great 

>starting point.  I usually buy a Walthers catalog every year but didn't get 

>a 2006 yet!

>

>Your model of the Williamson ash handling plant is fantastic.  I'm sure 

>Editor Greever would love to have an article on your prototype research and 

>your modeling effort!

>

>Thanks again for your response.

>

>Jim Brewer

>

>----- Original Message ----- From: <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>

>To: <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>

>Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2006 10:52 PM

>Subject: RE: Ash Hoists

>

>

>>Since the VA Tech site changed, I haven't been able to find much of 

>>anything there either.

>>

>>Sorry I don't know exactly which type of ash conveyor N&W used at 

>>Shenandoah Jim, but it probably was a Robertson. Scale Structures makses a 

>>Robertson Cinder Conveyor

>>http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/650-1110

>>

>>The model is the hydralic type. It could be converted to electric. I built 

>>two but then desided to model the modern ash handeling plant at Williamson 

>>Yard.

>>http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-2/1148725/nw035.jpeg

>>http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-2/1148725/nw027.jpg

>>http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-2/1148725/nw205.jpg

>>http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-2/1148725/nw053.jpg

>>http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-2/1148725/ashplant.jpg

>>

>>The modern ash plant used water to wash the pit clean using high pressure 

>>jets. The pit would empty into a slice trough and into a silo where the 

>>ash and water were seperated. The ash was  would be emptied into a open 

>>hopper car.

>>

>>A good reference book about coaling stations, including ash handeling, is 

>>"Steam Locomotive Coaling Stations and Diesel Locomotive Fueling 

>>Facilities, compiled by Thomas W. Dixon, Jr. T.L.C. publishing

>>http://www.tlcrailroadbooks.com/cgi-bin/tlcstore.pl?user_action=detail&catalogno=x22

>>

>>Gary Setter

>>

>>>From: nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org

>>>Reply-To: NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>

>>>To: "N&W Mailing List" <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>

>>>Subject: Ash Hoists

>>>Date: Sat, 22 Apr 2006 11:44:59 -0400

>>>

>>>I am looking for information and photos on the ash hoists at Shenandoah, 

>>>VA.

>>>

>>>A search of ash hoist on the VA Tech web site yielded nothing.

>>>

>>>A search of my NWHS Archives CD turns up no specific entries for these 

>>>hoists.  There are a number of entries for other locations.

>>>

>>>Apparently, there were two types (maybe more) of hoists used by N&W, 

>>>electric and pneumatic.

>>>

>>>Can anyone provide information on the Shenandoah hoists?  I'd like to 

>>>model these as closely as possible.

>>>

>>>Any help will be greatly appreciated.

>>>

>>>Jim Brewer

>>>Glenwood MD

>>

>>

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>>

>>

>>

>>

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>

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