What do you think… What would you change? or do different?
1/8 Al 5053 materal being used.
http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/daniel_peck/Tower%20plans.pdf
Ive always liked the big concrete coaling towers. That one looks great.
I agree, pretty neat looking and a good design. What is 1/8 Al 5053 material? If you don’t want to freelance, you might look at a small prototype, like the one in Thurmond, WV. It’s pretty cool, and there’s LOTS of info available: http://www.wva-usa.com/newsite/www.wvrailroads.com/drawings/thurmond-coaling-tower/
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Events/WestVirginia/P1050122.JPG)
Plus, you can still visit it… 
I don’t know if you can help it those things are BIG ! maybe you can trim a few inches here and there, a 60 inch height is pretty tall and a 36x37 will take up alot of real estate but your overall plan looks good to me.
When I built my mine complex it got big fast and it almost didn’t fit out my shop door. I wrote up a humurous piece for the “If I’d only Known” column in Garden Railways. April 2012. as big as it is the structure has become a focal point of my RR.
I bet yours will command just as much attention.
Keep us posted on your build.
Todd
aluminum
5053 series is harder than 3000 series
all 1/8" thick
Todd Haskins said:Going to build a WHOLE engine sevice area, 60" turntable with round house. I have 3 engine houses built 48" long out of Aluminum right now 2,3,and 4 bay. Thinking of a working transfer table too.
I don't know if you can help it those things are BIG ! maybe you can trim a few inches here and there, a 60 inch height is pretty tall and a 36x37 will take up alot of real estate but your overall plan looks good to me. When I built my mine complex it got big fast and it almost didn't fit out my shop door. I wrote up a humurous piece for the "If I'd only Known" column in Garden Railways. April 2012. as big as it is the structure has become a focal point of my RR. I bet yours will command just as much attention. Keep us posted on your build. Todd
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/daniel_peck/2,3,4%20bay.jpg)
This is my 2,3 and 4 bay engine house each is 48" long and the 4 bay is 29" wide. I going to use the 2 bay for the lube shop and think of the 3 and 4 bay for the transfer table.
Aluminum? Cool. I’ve never worked with that; I hope you post a lot of progress pictures!
My ignorance generates a few questions:
How will you fasten it together?
Finish? Can you use some of the textured paints to give it a concrete look?
What do you use to cut it?
Bruce Chandler said:
Aluminum? Cool. I've never worked with that; I hope you post a lot of progress pictures!My ignorance generates a few questions:
How will you fasten it together?
Finish? Can you use some of the textured paints to give it a concrete look?
What do you use to cut it?
I going to weld it from the back side shich mean It looks like I am going to have to craw in this to weldit due to size.
For the finish I am looking at a powdercoating that has the color and finish of concrete. It is grey with a little bit of metalic in to to look,like the stone in concrete.
For cutting I will be using a CNC water jet machine.
All stuff you need for your shop Bruce 
I have serious space constraints. Here’s my own small and not quite complete wooden coaling tower:
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/choochoo_chaboogie/_forumfiles/Coaltower01.jpg)
I combined elements from several prototypes to create this model. Its footprint is 10"x10"; it is 28" high:
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/choochoo_chaboogie/_forumfiles/Coaltower02.jpg)
It breaks down into three elements, base, body and roof as shown here:
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/choochoo_chaboogie/_forumfiles/Coaltower03.jpg)
I have yet to add details such as chutes, pulleys and chain, etc. Cheers!
John,
I love your coaling tower. I may attempt to copy it.
Jon Radder said:No, I just think I need to move to Salisbury - so I can have someone close who knows what they're doing! ;)
All stuff you need for your shop Bruce :)
That is going to be pretty neat; you must have a big yard, Daniel.
Sorry Dan, I just dont think you will like it It doesn’t fit with what your doing 
now this one would be a better fit for you and me and I think this is the one you should build for us. Just sayin…
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/nicholas_savatgy/_forumfiles/Tower1.jpg)
Plus It will be cheaper and easier for you to ship me one:)
Could build both that would be easy thou…
I’m partial to the Camak, GA coaling tower myself
(http://camaksrailroaddays.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/100_4070.263112443_std.JPG)
Am I going to have to build a few of these in the near future??? Not a commercial one made that looks good and sized right…
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/daniel_peck/DSC01097.JPG)
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/daniel_peck/DSC01098.JPG)
Mock up pics
opps sorry about the size… Fixed…
So edit your post and resize them and rotate them…
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8359/8291836485_bcf996239a_z.jpg)
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8492/8292890000_69432122e2_z.jpg)
