There is (or was) a hybrid system not too from where I live now, or indeed grew up (that was at the other side of the river)
Coal-carrying containers (water-tight!!) were transported on an under-carriage/wagon, to a slipway
They arrived on a standard-gauge railway. & were floated off into the Aire & Calder Navigation Canal
Scroll down to the B&W photo, of the reversed saddle-tank locomotive, & the method becomes clear
https://www.stanleyhistoryonline.com/Ferry-Lane-Photos.html
Probably 20 of these 'Tom Puddings' were linked together, & towed to Goole, where they were lifted vertically out of the water, & emptied
Being returned in the same way, & pulled out of the water, for another trip to the Colliery
The railway embankment is part of the daily commute to/from work, if my shift allows (ie; light enough)
The basin depicted was where the grassed area is, with the line head off 'top-left', where the trees are
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Pudding
Partway between 'Stanley Ferry' & NewLands Hall, along the embankment/'lines'
