Coaling your locos

Real coal looks far better than the moulded plastic effort seen on many RTR locos. Unfortunately many RTR tender locos (especially older versions) come with the coal piled very high - so simply adding more on top isn't really an option.

On the Bachmann 43xx seen here I removed all of the plastic moulded coal, using an electric slot cutter and a scalpel. The most difficult part is at the front of the tender where three angles meet - I tried to keep the existing edges and sides square and sanded down the surfaces afterwards.

The next step was to use thin Plastikard to rebuild the interior of the tender. I use a 90 degree bent section stuck to the sides to mount a new floor to - and then it is a case of cutting and trying the other pieces until they fit. The Plastikard takes paint better if you run a fine file over it before sticking.

The coal was added in three parts, just to build up the amount. I fix the coal in place with Phoenix Paints satin varnish ready mixed for airbrushes. I just drop it on the coal from a plastic dropper, leave it overnight and then add more as if you use too much in one go the varnish at the bottom never gets enough air to harden.