adding coal scene to layout, ideas?

I have seen a couple of options...if you have a higher level of scenery above your track, you "could" (if you decided to do that) make a "truck dump".  Basically a wooden or steel or concrete ramp that the dump truck would back onto and dump the load directly into the hopper car.

If you want or need some kind of structure, you could have a small "scale house" or shanty for someone to record the number of loads and weight of coal dumped into the rail cars.

I have also seen people take the Walthers New River Mining tipple and modify the windows and pilings to fit O scale.  It can make a very nice coal loader.

I scratch built this entire residential coal dealer using my own plans for the structure and Pennsy plans for the actual coal trestle itself. It was made specifically fit into a wedge of space along one edge of bench work. There may be some ideas in it for your railroad. The first picture shows the space being readied and the other 2 shots are of the completed project.

Bob

Thanks, those are good ideas.

Dan

Here's my coal breaker from K&P Brick & Building's that I did by the mountain .

Guy

Very cool Guy.

MAN you guys are ALL talented.Love the way one of you uses thick styrofoam,then cut it away to give dimension.I use fast track.Can I screw it right to the styrofoam?Nick

Plans for O scale Scratchbuilt Coal Tipple made from Styrofoam Sheet

I have designed a very simple Coal Tipple made from Styrofoam Sheet and stripwood. It will have interior lighting. Basic plans are attached. Not all details shown. Model photos to come.

BTS kit.  Cabin Creek Coal Tipple. Build pictures. Click on the underlined phrase for a slide show.

Thanks for all the ideas. Think I'll do something between Guy's and Mike's idea and scratch build the whole thing from Plastruct materials.

Dan