Scale water tower finished!

[Ray Dunakin]

I recently completed my scale model of the Dos Cabesas water tower for my railroad. Here are the pics, beginning with a shot of the prototype (real) tower in the Anza-Borrego desert:

http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=3009006&a=32116967&p=74072249

From there, you can click through to see the rest of the photos. The next four shots are of my model.

The foundations are cast concrete. The support structure and platform are made of western red cedar.

The tank was built up from a 7" diameter aluminum tube. To get the correct diameter, I had to wrap it with two layers of 1/8" thick plastic sheet, glued down with urethane glue. The weld lines were simulated by masking off all but the lines. Thick epoxy was then brushed on. The masking tape was removed, leaving a thin bead of epoxy.

The ladder and bolted "manway" were purchased from Plastruct. A second manway was used for the underside of the valve assembly (not visible in the photos).

The water level gauge on the prototype is a pipe with a slot running down it. A weight fits inside the pipe, with a marker that protrudes through the slot. The marker weight is attached to a cord which runs up over a pulley at the top, and down into the tank. At the other end of the cord there would have been a weighted float. This allowed the marker to rise and fall along with the level of the water.

For my model, I used a cutting wheel on a Dremel to cut a slot in a 1/8" diameter aluminum tube. The pulley and marker were simulated with bits of brass. I did not attempt to duplicate the cord or weights for the gauge.

I did want to duplicate the rigging for the spout, but most of it is missing from the prototype. I also could not find photos of any other water tower that had exactly the same type of spout hinge. I had to make an educated guess based on the bits of remaining hardware. I also had a few photos dating back to the mid-70's, when the tower was in better condition and more of the hardware remained intact.

The spout itself was based on photos and drawings from other water towers, and was constructed from brass and cardboard model rocket tubes. The cardboard parts were coated with resin to harden them and protect from the weather.

When the spout is pulled down, the two lead counterweights rise on guide rails. There is another lead weight inside the tank, hanging from a cord which is attached to both the spout and the lever mounted above the spout. In real life this cord would have been attached to some sort of valve inside the tank (possibly a flapper valve?)

For now, the water tower has been placed temporarily at the east end of the layout where it will be out of the way during construction. Eventually it will be moved to another area.

The last two photos show some construction progress at the west end, where I'm building several tunnels and a large mountain.

[Anonymous]

Very nice indeed. It makes a change from the usual timber  type ones. Almost tempted to make one myself

[Anonymous]

Very nice steel water tower indeed!

William

[vsmith]

http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=3009006&a=32116967&p=74072249

 

 

Geeez I absolutely HATE this new forum format when it comes to people posting links or pics. Copy paste copy paste search ...what a hastle.....

 

Not aimed at you Ray, its this forum's shiny new format that blows!

 

 

 

BTW awesome model!

[billblankley]

Ray, 

Nice work and I have been following your layout construction and it's great.  What is the location of the proto off of I-8 or CA94??

Vic,  Iagree with you about the new forum format.  I couldn't get on with my old "Joysboy" and had to sign on with this new handle.

Bill Blankley

[Ray Dunakin]

To reach Dos Cabesas siding, take I-8 east to the Ocotillo exit, then head up S-2. Roughly five or six miles northwest of Ocotillo there's a dirt road leading to Dos Cabesas. No sign or anything though, so it's easy to miss.

The trail is a little bumpy but passable with a regular car. It's about 3-4 miles from S-2 to the water tower.

[Lodens5]

Hi Ray ,

         That water tanks looks really great nice job.

Cheers Dennis.

[kstrong]

Great job on the tank and the railway. I love the weathering on the tank and bridges. Keep the photos coming! That's a wonderful use of what many would call an unusable hillside.

Later,

K

[Anonymous]

Outstanding layout, Ive just sat and looked through all the photos, I liked my newly finished water tower, til I saw yours !!

 

John

RJR Branch Line

www.rjroriginals.co.uk/rjr_branch_line.htm

[Ray Dunakin]

John T: Your On30 layout is nifty, good use of limited space.

Kevin: Working with such a steep hill has been tricky and involved many compromises, but so far I'm pretty pleased with it. I've also found some interesting prototypes for structures on difficult terrain.

I do wish I had more room for a yard and engine facilities though. Perhaps someday I can figure out a way to run a branch line over the wrought iron fence and onto a platform in the lower yard.

BTW, I'm currently working on a large wooden ore bin -- fun stuff! It'll be part of a complex of mines at the east end, upper level. One thing I like about large scale railroading is that when you build a structure, you feel like you've really built something!