Hello Friends

I have a plan I want to share with you, hoping that somebody already did what I plan to do (or read about someone who did it).

I want for some time now, to enhance the coal (black plastic representation) on the tender of my steamers. The plan is to use Noch Ballast Glue (in reality diluted transparent white glue) and Noch real coal.

I am fully aware of the potential danger of excess glue going to the electronics under the black plastic coal representation. I have this covered though (my main hobby is Historical Figure Painting, so, I am more than used on the rules of micro painting and diorama construction). Noch Ballast Glue will be used in extemlly low quantities with micro brushes.

I think that real coal on the tender of my steamers will elevate their appearance (and personalize my locos).

If I knew that someone did it … I would feel … safer

Any input or photos, will be more than welcome.

With Best Regards to All

Paris

Biggest problem there is that PVA (even when watered down) tends to dry with a glossy finish, which is not what you want.

But what is the way out of that? Well I haven't tried this idea, but what happens if you put a layer of cyanoacrylate (instant) glue over the existing 'coal' in the tender than sprinkle the coal on top.

Interesting topic, but may I ask... why?
Are you striving for greater realism, or is is the fact that coal is used to model coal?

I use black sandblasting material to model HO scale coal (and ash)...

Coal colour also varies depending on which colliery it is mined at , which seam is being used & which country . I have seen coal from the Hunter Valley in Australia which is supposed to be the best in the world for low ash content & low noxious gas content come out of a colliery washery in various shades of black from hard shiney black [ the best type ] to a dirty grey which is used in power stations on a continuous chain grate . So there is no rhyme or reason as to which black to use or even quality is sometimes used for locomotives .

In New South Wales Aust we have 3 main coal fields which have access to the same seams so you would think the coal would be of equal quality . It isn't , the powers that be on the railway hierarchy declared that the Hunter coal was to be used for certain engines , the Illawarra coal & the Western coal was used to be used for different routes . These different supplies gave better or worst steaming production .

The plastic coal doesn't distribute itself around the packaging like the real coal does?

So, Flash Dave wants a lump of coal for Christmas.......? Who's been a naughty boy then?

I use active carbon used in water filters, it is the real thing, in proper size and gives much more improved look, you can lay a fine layer over the plastic tender coal. Just prepare white glue + water solution to keep the load rigid. Especially handy if you want coal loaded gondolas.

Alternatively you can use "grid sand" used for stripping old paint off real ships, they are very much like coal (pitch black and shiny) and come in different sizes (coarse to fine).

Talking about gondolas; real fine sand makes perfect load too.

C.