Post 18 8-18-2016
Homemade Lionel Water Tower and Gantry Crane Superstructure
Personal note: I have been out of touch the past week as we experienced the Great Flood here in south Louisiana. I live in Baton Rouge and Livingston Parish with Denham Springs is a across the river and they had 80% of the town flooded. The water went over the 100 year flood zone level by four feet in some places. This is now called a 1000 year flood.
We learned that elevation is what matters not closeness to waterways. The main instigator, the Amite River, is about 200 yards from my house. We were blessed and our house was not flooded but over 40 thousand were. Most did not have flood insurance as they were not in the 100 year floodzone. We have not had power, news papers, mail, internet access, land phones and cell phones were down most of the time starting August 13th (came back on here 8/16 evening). At least ten thousand are in shelters and over 30,000 were rescued, fortunately lots of Louisianans have boats. The responders, including the National Guard with black hawks, did a superb job. FEMA, Red Cross, churches, charities, citizens and all local, state and national governments are working hard to care for those that lost all; their houses, cars, all belongings and some their places of employment. We are all helping muck houses of carpet, flooring, dry wall, cabinets and hauling them and furniture and appliances to the street for removal. Some areas have both sides of the street stacked 10 feet tall of ruined household and personal belongings. Please pray for all those experiencing live changing events.
Homemade Lionel Style Water Tower
A Lionel 6-12711 Water Tower Building Kit style water tower was made in the 1980s from 1/8 inch Masonite and brick paper covering. The tank was made from an oat meal round box and card board. The roof was covered with roof paper. Lights were added to the top of the water tank to illuminate the top of the coal tender from 12v mini Christmas tree lights. The spout was made from balsa wood. Ladder was made from cutting out every other tie from N scale rail tie minus the rails. I had the O scale door and window plastic parts. I think my homemade water tower is more handsome than the plastic Lionel Water Tower.
Below is the Lionel 6-12711 Water Tower Building Kit I modeled mine after (this one bought years later)
Marx Water Tower Paint Job
I used a 065 Marx water tower for installation near the round house and painted it buff color. It is smaller than the Lionel 30 or 138, which is too big for my location.
Marx Water Tower - Painted, located near Turntable and Coaling Tower
Homemade Gantry Crane Superstructure
A gantry crane superstructure was made from ¼ inch plywood and flanges were made from card board from paper tablets. Small strips of wood were added for detail. The crane cab with boom was from a Lionel crane car and was found at a train show.
Charlie
