I am starting a new project to construct a Union Pacific style coal tower that will span five tracks. The design is based on a couple of pictures the customer has given me along with pictures of a couple of HO scale kits. I started construction and posted a picture a couple of weeks ago on the scenic showcase. I never constructed something from the top down but I figured since the support beams will tuck under the siding, it should work fine.
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Alan, It already looks amazing. Love the detail. Hope to see it finished.
Tom
Alan. Is that what it is ! I could not work it out when you posted the first photo. Looks like another great model coming up. Thanks Roo.
Any photos of the prototype?
I bet you could sell these in 2-5 track versions. 
The prototype is almost certainly one of the 650 ton variety. At a minimum, Cheyenne and Laramie were both home to this size tower. I'm not sure if there were examples of this capacity built for any other locations.
A google search will come up with lots of photos of both the prototypes and also HO models by IHC (in plastic) and Overland (in brass). Pics of another O scale model can be found on a separate thread here on the OGR forum. There is also a very nice UK exhibition layout called Laramie Engine Terminal which features another example of a scratchbuilt 650 tower.
Jim
Looks like the weather is starting to turn more fall like. It will give me more time to get into this coal tower. Hete are some progress pictures to date.
Alan - are you sure that is a coal tower not a missile defense complex.................
Joe,
I put together the Nike Missle model together and put it in the picture to show the size of the coal tower to the missle. In the future, I want to build a model of the middle battery that was located on Sandy Hook and donate it to the museum there.
Alan Graziano posted:Joe,
I put together the Nike Missle model together and put it in the picture to show the size of the coal tower to the missle. In the future, I want to build a model of the middle battery that was located on Sandy Hook and donate it to the museum there.
Bummer - no missiles to protect the coal tower...............
Wow. It's been a while since I posted on this project. Here are some pictures of the progress.
Nice progress Alan
Alan
Looking great!
Al
One heck of a project!
Looks fantastic! Please continue to keep us posted on progress
More progress on the project. I completed the main coal bunker and added the end chutes. I will put the main bunker in place after I add the 4 chutes
Your work is wonderful. It is also spectacularly precise and clean. You are the exemplar!
The model is getting close. I just installed the platform under the main cola bunker. The model is ready for final paint and some lights
Wow, Alan, it’s really coming together.
Andy
Alan, that is absolutely magnificent !!!!! 
Alex
Outstanding work Alan.
Alan - as usual beautiful work.
Joe
Wow, That Is stunning!
Alan, How do you do it? Just the amazing model craft. Excellent.
Tom
W-O-W Amazing work Alan!!! This is for one of my best train buds! I know he’s going to be just thrilled!
Thank you all for such nice compliments.
Alan,
Excellent job!
This thread really wrapped up well with a nice ending by David Minarik. Thank you. I am going to post the completed pictures. Thank you all for looking and commenting.
I am sorry I missed this topic until now. Wow! That is a fantastic job on the wonderful coal tower, Alan!
Alan, that is really, really nice! What a great job! 
Alan, you are truly a master.
Karl
Alan, the result is truly spectacular!! Your scratch-building skill and talent is outstanding. Thanks for sharing, it's very inspiring to see.
I can see why the owner chose this prototype, it's a very unique structure.... I can't say I have ever seen a coaling tower like this, but then again, I don't find myself doing many searches for UP and Western RR prototypes. Probably need to broaden my "horizons"....
Alan,
You are truly a master craftsmen.
Yeah man!!!!
Alan, great job, love the detail.
Don't know what I envy most, your superb modeling skills or the size of your work area...... maybe both!
Thanks for posting.
Alan. Wow. Thank you for sharing.
Andy
Spectacular, Alan......you are an inspiration to us all!
Peter
Alan, truly fantastic build.
This is truly a work of art! That's freakin' awesome!
Thank you again everyone. Glad you enjoyed this. Happy Thanksgiving
IMHO, this is worthy of an article in CTT or OGRR magazine.
Incredibly well done. Thank you for sharing!
Absolutely wonderful! I'll second the idea that your project would make a great magazine article
Alan,
I've truly come to expect nothing less than the best from your work! Congratulations on this project. You knocked it out of the park with all bases loaded.
Dave
Just a beautiful work of art and destined to be a show stopper on anyone’s layout.
Alan Graziano posted:The model is getting close. I just installed the platform under the main cola bunker. The model is ready for final paint and some lights
Fantastic, Now if Menards would make a scaled down version of this I would be happy.
Again, you do unbelievable work.
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