Cross-posted from The Ready Track... When did flood loading of coal become mainstream? Did coal trains still get tipple-loaded on class 1 RR's past 1987? I would like to know, as my N scale coal trains need loads, and I wonder if flood loads are more appropriate for 1987, or if Tipple loads were more common? I have video evidence of flood loads in 1985-86, but not much in the way of tipple loads.
I think (prepare to be wrong) that there's a regional influence also. Almost all the flood loaders I've seen have been western (assuming you're talking about the cylindrical loaders like the Walthers kit) while midwest or eastern apparently stayed more inclined towards tipples (like the New River kit). But I'll admit to not having a lot of reference on the subject, and what I do have focuses on MoPac service, and so is kinda dated.
Well, I am leaning towards the D&RGW influence.... I just need to know what style coal loads to buy...
Well, here's my take. I have a small layout with coal as the biggest industry, and I use the tipple style loader. I also model/run Santa Fe locos. Now I know this may not be prototypical for Santa Fe to be running coal from tipples, but I truly believe that the tipples offer much more in the way of model railroad operations. To me, a flood loader is no different than going through the drive-thru at McDonald's. It's too convenient. So, regardless of era or rail service, I have chosen the tipple based solely on the complexity of operations in having a trio of dead-end lines running beneath the Grandview Coal Company.
