Steam diesel transition era...Coal and sand

[rogertra]

A small engine terminal, taking care of two or three locos per day could have the coal tenders loaded by conveyor, or a gas/diesel/hand powered crane from a gondola or a pile of coal dumped on the ground and a small ashpit that is shovelled out by a labourer with a shovel.  The "ashpit" could even be a sheet of steel laid between the rails to protect the ties.  Sand could be loaded into the sandbox(es) via a bucket.  Obviously, there would be a stand pipe or water tower somewhere.

If you model oil fired engines it's even easier.  A tankcar of fuel oil with a flexible pipe going via a simple airpump powered by the loco's compressor and a water supply, either from a standpipe of a water tank.