Hi Hazzy
I didn't have room for the big coaling stage but I have the Scaledale coal drop on my layout. I assume you need to bend the track at the top and bottom of the slope.
I use code 100 peco and it bends very successfully and allows the shunter to push the wagons up smoothly'
I spread a good amount of 'spilt' coal around and also lots of black dust from a charcoal pencil rubbed on coarse production paper.
Ted