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Coaling Tower Options

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Coaling Tower Options
Posted by Loco on Friday, October 3, 2008 5:48 PM
From what I've been able to gather, my options for my UP transition era coaling tower are the Walthers Modern and the Tichy Train Group 400 ton'er.  Is there any other options for a larger coaling tower out there?  The tichy does look good from the adds... anyone have any fist hand thoughts???
LAte Loco
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Posted by ARTHILL on Saturday, October 4, 2008 6:24 PM
I built the Campbell model. Not quite right for your use, but it is a beautiful model and fun to built. It did take a long time.
If you think you have it right, your standards are too low. my photos http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a235/ARTHILL/ Art
  • Member since
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Posted by jrbernier on Saturday, October 4, 2008 6:51 PM

  Both of those are 'terminal' type coaling towers, and of very late steam era construction.  I am sure UP had much smaller ones in smaller terminals, or coaling tower on the main line between terminals.  Walthers has a smaller concrete coaling tower, and there are some nice 50-100 ton capacity wood type coaling towers available.  That Walthers one is what I used for my small 3 track engine terminal.

Jim Bernier

Modeling BNSF  and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin

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Posted by doctorwayne on Saturday, October 4, 2008 7:58 PM

I built two of the Tichy 400 tonners - they make into a very nice model, although I modified the construction method to facilitate painting and to make the attachment of the ironwork to the structure more secure.  Mine is not yet on the layout, so I have no photos, and the other is owned by a friend - he supplied one for me in return for doing the assembly work on his. Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]  This is the only picture which I have of it - if you need a better view, let me know.

The small Walthers tower also makes into a nice model for a smaller facility.  I added a sandhouse and dry sand storage to mine, along with some additional ironwork (left-over from those two Tichy kits).

Wayne

 

 

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Posted by Loco on Saturday, October 4, 2008 11:24 PM
Maybe I'll get lucky on an OMI Ogden coaling tower :O)  Otherwise I'm leaining on the Tichy.  Got to keep 4-8-8-6, 4-6-6-4, and FEF's loaded.
LAte Loco
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Posted by AltonFan on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 5:46 PM
I believe IHC made a model of the large Cheyenne coaling tower.

Dan

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  • From: Carmichael, CA
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Posted by twhite on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 6:44 PM

If you're modeling UP Big Steam, you should take a look at the IHC Cheyenne coaling tower.  And don't let the IHC brand fool you, it's a large kit and very well detailed--I think it was originally produced some years back by AHM.  I believe it holds four or five tracks under it, plus an ash track.  The kit as manufactured is a little 'bright' in color, but that can be cured with some darker paint.  It's really quite impressive, and unlike some of the other coaling towers available, it kind of 'shouts' Union Pacific.  I don't think any other railroad had a coaling facility quite like it.  Your FEF's, Big Boys and Challengers will look right at home under it. 

Tom Big Smile [:D]

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Posted by Loco on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 7:51 PM

Doc, great photos, may use one of the small Walthers for one of my branch lines.

Tom & AltonFan, I will look into that IHC option....

Oh, and will also need to keep my Turbines and GP's fueled too!!!!!

LAte Loco
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  • From: Milwaukee WI (Fox Point)
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Posted by dknelson on Wednesday, October 8, 2008 8:10 AM

The Walthers website indicates that Suncoast has announced, but not yet produced, a 200 ton coaling tower.  They already have a smaller Fairbanks Morse coaling station that looks pretty good in pictures.   This might be worth waiting for.

Dave Nelson

 

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Posted by Loco on Wednesday, October 8, 2008 12:17 PM
Humm.... can't seem to find any of them IHC coaling towers after a bit of searching on the web.  Went to IHC's web site and they did have a photo of that big coaling tower, but was not listed for sale.  Any idea's???
LAte Loco
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Posted by tstage on Wednesday, October 8, 2008 12:56 PM

The small (4" tall) Suncoast FM Coaling station that Dave mentioned is a very nice kit but it's a craftsman's kit.  I have one on my layout and added working lights to it.  Here's the prototype:

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/500/FM_Coaling_Tower.jpg

Here's a day/night shot of the model:

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/500/FM_Coaling_Tower1.JPG

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/500/FM_Coaling_Tower_2.JPG

(Sorry the quality of the pictures isn't better.)

Loco, if you are modeling the UP, you may want to go with a bigger coaling tower like the Tichy - especially if your have Challengers and Big Boys on your layout.  Either way, be prepared to spend some time putting either kit together.

On the Suncoast kit, I spent ~100 hrs. converting the kit drawings to HO, cutting and gluing the pieces, painting, then wiring the tower for lighting.  This and my Alexander Scale Models NYC Freight station are the center pieces on my layout.

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

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