Model Railway Forum

I have purchased a Dapol B4 tank loco. They often piled extra coal on top of the boiler/tanks in front of the cab. I usually stick coal in tenders or bunkers with PVA. Any ideas how I can put coal on the boiler without applying PVA directly to the loco. I would like to be able to lift the pile of coal off if necessary in one piece?

This is what I mean.

Brian, you could try making a pile of coal on a piece of grease proof paper or clingfilm on the workbench - then once the PVA has dried it should peel off for standing on the loco.
You could make a very rough mock-up of the space contained by the cab front, tank top and boiler top (plasticine?), cover with clingfilm and make ‘shaped charge’ of coal with PVA.

Place a plastic bag where the coal sits on loco, then glue coal on plastic. When glue has totally set trim the plastic to suit. A little tacky wax will keep coal in place on loco. Good Luck.

Two good ideas. Might try a bit of each. Thanks chaps.

Think I might try a bit of clingfilm.

Walkingthedog wrote: ↑Wed Jul 05, 2023 8:12 pm Think I might try a bit of clingfilm.

used clingfilm on many occasions, usually to create wagon loads for coal and ore.