Lunde Coal Elevator, Langdon ND - HO

The Lunde Coal Elevator was located in Langdon, North Dakota, and served by the Great Northern.

From the time the railroad arrived at a place into the 1950’s, the local coal dealer and his facility was crucial to personal survival in the winter since coal was the default source of domestic heat. Everyone needed coal to survive the winter. After 1894 the most common source for coal hauled by the Great Northern on the east end of its system was Pittsburgh Seam coal which arrived in Allouez, Wisconsin as back haul cargo in iron ore boats.

Coal was transported in box cars and drop bottom gondola cars. Box cars were most common until the 1910s, when 40-foot steel drop bottom gondola cars became more common.

This is a coal elevator, meaning that coal was elevated and then deposited in one of several bins, from which the coal flowed by gravity to wagons or trucks for delivery to customers. Coal was moved from rail cars to the elevator by wheelbarrow using transfer boards placed to span the space between the rail car and the shed. The prototype of this elevator was built in the early 1900’s and continued in service into the 1950s.

This high-quality laser cut building kit features bass wood walls, peel and stick roofing, doors and windows with printed advertising signs plus metal castings for the coal bucket and coal shovel details. Assembly instructions with photos and drawings are included for easy construction.

Footprint is 5 7/8 inches long by 3 ¼ inches wide. The building is 6 ½ inches tall.

See Reference Sheet 248 for further information.