This question is about the big square concrete coaling tower kit, not the round one.
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This kit is set up to load coal into three tracks. Two under the bunker, and one on the track opposite the coal elevator shaft.
My question is would it be appropriate just to use this as a two track tower. I would utilize the two tracks under the bunker and just leave off all the details on the outside loading tracks.
The tower will be installed with the elevator towards the aisle, so the modifications (if any are needed) will be hidden from view.
Please let me know. Thanks.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Kevin, from what I've seen of the real ones, each manufacturer (Fairbanks-Morse, Ogle Machinery Co., and T.W. Snow among them) had several models which could be adapted to suit a particular road's available site and requirements.
I needed a compact tower for my Lowbanks engine terminal, and used the Walthers "round one". However, the space was so limited that I had to omit the outside chute, and used only the one under the tower...
I modified mine by using a better-detailed coal chute from Tichy, and also a lot of Tichy ladders, stairs, and platforms.
I also added a scratchbuilt sandhouse and dry-sand storage tank...
...along with sand delivery pipes for both steam locomotives and The Bee, my diesel electric doodlebug.
On the upper level of the layout, I had more real estate available, and used Tichy's very nicely-done coaling tower...
Wayne
Kevin,
This one appears to be a two-track coaling tower. There is no third track on our side, and the other side is for loading the tower. So, yes, it was done:
Ed
Wayne & Ed: Thank you for the replies and the very helpful pictures. I figured it would be OK because in the real world everything is built to fit and meet customer needs.
I only want to avoid that situation where something is so wrong that it will actually bother me.
Your input is appreciated. Thank you for answering questions from a very seasoned and accomplished modeler that knows almost nothing about trains.
I'd also like to thank Wayne & Ed for the photos and the input.I've discovered I can take a copy of your Photobucket image and paste it into my Irfanview program, then save the image on my computer as a jpeg file,....screw photobucket bullcrap.
Brian
My Layout Plan
Interesting new Plan Consideration
That's a lot of work for right-click, save image as....
I just finished the new Tony Koester book on engine servicing - well worth it. Lots of good pictures, both prototype and model. I would have no problem with servicing 2 tracks underneath and none on the outside. What's neat is that a lot of those huge concrete towers still stand, except where they were clearance problems. Mainly because they are some tough structures to try and knock down, and since they often spanned the main tracks, it would put the line out of service for too long to get it all cleaned up. So until it becomes a problem - it stays. A lot of railroad infrastructure was really built to last.
-Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinker That's a lot of work for right-click, save image as.... I just finished the new Tony Koester book on engine servicing - well worth it. Lots of good pictures, both prototype and model. I would have no problem with servicing 2 tracks underneath and none on the outside. What's neat is that a lot of those huge concrete towers still stand, except where they were clearance problems. Mainly because they are some tough structures to try and knock down, and since they often spanned the main tracks, it would put the line out of service for too long to get it all cleaned up. So until it becomes a problem - it stays. A lot of railroad infrastructure was really built to last. -Randy
Sometimes they last longer than the railroad. Montfort, WI, once a junction point on the C&NW. Tracks are long gone but the tower remains.
towns-and-nature.blogspot.com/2016/01/montfort-wi-c-coaling-tower.html
Jeff
I watched a crew taking one down, once. They bashed it a buncha times with a wrecking ball. Then some guys went up and cut the re-bar with torches. And they repeated the process over and over. It was REALLY slow work. And a bit dangerous, too.
After events like that, I can see why someone would decide just to leave it.
One would make a great shelter in a hurricane or tornado. Or earthquake.
This one
If you remove the chutes from the Walthers kit, don’t forget to omit a few ladders, walkways, steps, etc. no longer necessary in addition to the chutes. It’s a very nice kit to build, even tho’ it does need a few extra parts like the control rods from the operating wheels. Also I recommend using small brass wire for all the counterweigt and chute cables. It makes it look far more realistic than that cruddy string that comes with the kit.
BTW, the largest railroad coaling tower in existence is the ex-New Haven one in Cedar Hill, near New Haven, CT. It’s a 5-track concrete monster with, IIRC, 1500 tons of capacity.