Info wanted on canal boats and harbours

Hi forum members,

I am in the planning stage of my new layout. It will be HO-scale DB ( Deutsche Bundesbahn) late Epoche IV and present Epoche V. The available space will be approx 10m x 7 m = 70 sq m. The layout will be operated by DCC. Traction will be electric and diesel locomotives and also some steam from the preservation group.

The layout will include urban, industrial and landscape scenes. In one or more of the industrial scenes I would like to include a typical canal harbour with some canal boats. I have come across a few websites with information on the subject but they are all about the massive inland ports in Germany. That kind of size will be difficult to model in any scale. What I am basically looking at is a canal harbour found in the smaller cities/towns with facilities to load/off load bulk goods (coal, lime, gravel etc), containers and other freight associated with the railways.

I would appreciate if any of the members could assist me with any information or suggestions on the subject. I already have some info on the models for a canal harbour scene but more on this will also be appreciated.

Thanks and regards.

Johan