I would like to thank Bob Liljestrand  of   BOB'S PHOTO (phone number1-606-207-2951)  for permission to post the pictures of the real tower.
  These photos and others were used to build the model.  Bob sells an incredible collection of rail road photos. 





Starting kit: "O" scale scratch built

MBS(Willimson WV coal tower) added details: lights foot print of diorama 32" x 40"

Call for price information

The Towle Transcontinental Railroad has a new coal tower commissioned by Kent Anderson.

The TT tower replicates a 1,500 ton coal wharf built in 1920 by the Norfolk and Western at its Williamson,
 West Virginia,  engine terminal at a cost of $200,000+.  

One unusual aspect of this wharf is its ariel replenishment capacity.  Coal was brought from a nearby mine to the wharf by a cable and bucket tramway. This system can be seen at the upper right on the photo and has been incorporated into the TT model.   A more traditional coal hopper car dump was also used for sand and other varieties of coal dispensed at the wharf.
 
Here is a view of the "business" end of the tower, which was constructed entirely of steel and steel-reinforced concrete.
Seen in this photograph is the steel-gridwork enclosed elevator which brings coal and/or sand from the underground
 dumping chamber to the top of the wharf for storage in one of the many bins used to separate various grades of coal
 and sand for distribution to locomotives below. Also to be seen is a six-story exposed circular staircase for acess to
 the upper distribution houses of the wharf.


This picture of the TT model clearly shows the entry ports for the cable and bucket tramway in the topmost structure.





This view of the TT model is taken from the locomotive approach side of the wharf. Note the bank of floodlights on the bunker roof to illuminate the approach during night and inclimate weather operations. the model will have a full lighting complement inside, outside and underneath the wharf.



 

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This overhead photo of the TT model provides a clear view of the wharf's layout. The prototype was constructed
 using two 750 ton towers the N&W had on-hand, merging them into one gigantic unit capable of servicing 4 tracks
of locomotives simultaneously.





This model results from a collaboration between Kent Anderson and Stu Gralnik who jointly researched the prototype's history and construction. Kent detertmined the scale of the undertaking and how it would fit into the overall comtemplated Towle Transcontinental engine complex. Stu is responsible for the model design based on prototype photos and architectural drawings and for the construction itself.

This is the third model Stu has built for the Towle Transcontinental, the others being the Williamson lubritorium and a waterfiltration tower, also from Williamson. All exhibit the same fidelity to prototype and extensive detailing and weathering.