Research Materials

Coaling Tower Plans Pete Brown Photo - December 11, 2004

This model is based on the drawings and article I produced for the WMRHS BMX Fall/Winter 2004 issue. You can find additional information about that here.  In addition to the small version in the article, copies of the plans in N, HO, S and O are available from the WMRHS. The O scale version differs slightly as I was not able to print an updated O scale version. For O, I recommend picking up a copy of the O scale for sizing, and either using the small plans from the article or from one of the other scales to identify the differences.

Front and Back

I plan to construct only one end of the coaling tower, and then cast copies in resin to use on the final model. The resin casting will be more durable and will not have the warping problems that the wood has. Not to mention that I will be able to avoid doing the end twice :-)

Board Support I used three pieces of 1/8" scribed bassword rubber cemented to the plans as my back support. The scribe lines help me line up the boards. Pete Brown Photo - December, 2004

Trying to Keep Boards Flat I glued all the indivual boards to the back support and weighted to try to keep it flat. Yes, that box really has a granite surface plate in it. The wax paper keeps the boards from sticking to the box. Pete Brown Photo - December, 2004

Weights While working on various pieces, it is important to keep things weighted to keep it as flat as possible. Styrene won't have this issue. Pete Brown Photo - December, 2004

Weight on Stringers Setting up the stringers. Pete Brown Photo - December, 2004

Most Stringers in Place Most of the stringers are in place. Pete Brown Photo - December, 2004

Sides

Details to be provided when I start this part

Roof and Monitor

Details to be provided when I start this part

Supports

Details to be provided when I start this part

Bottom

Details to be provided when I start this part

Be sure to check out my collection of Railroad-related desktop wallpaper here.