Here is the Korber water tank (R) next to the Plastruct water tank (L). The Korber tank is an N scale 130 feet tall. Both tanks are H0 scale models; I am using them as N scale. I still need to change that top on the Plastruct tank. I'm still looking for a compass. I'm having questions about the ladders and where to place them on the Korber tank. I think they should go on one of the tower legs (like the Plastruct tank); the instructions place them between the legs. [edit] the ladder does go on one of the legs. Check out this webpage. BTW, notice that the Korber hand rail is N scale and it came in the H0 scale kit as an H0 scale railing. I guess they thought no one would notice.
This worked exactly as stated. Thanks for that idea, Ben. Here are views of my water tower before and afterwards. Before with pointed roof: After using Ben's conical roof idea. Some things are just simple when you know how.
And just when I was getting used to the pointed one. Reminded me of the Tin Man. The new conical one looks good. And I think either the old tank or the modern one fits. Your industrial area has grown to a size that might require both. Ben
I used the technique that Ben describes, but with thin Plastruct ABS sheet for this roof. I did a butt joint with a small strip on the underside to reinforce it. Here is the prototype I was trying to model.
The water tower in this photo is the Walthers HO modern water tower. The N-Scale version is way to small.
The tower PERFECTLY replicates two water towers ehre in Tucson Arizona. Now interesting enough, these two towers are not the same size - one is half the size of the other one. I need to check the roofs though, I do believe both version in Tucson have the steep conical roof. The rest looks like that tower you started with too!!!! You can see both towers from I-10 in Tucson, the first tower is around the 6th Avenue bridge; the second is is futher south, maybe pass the power plant.
It is true that water towers very greatly in size, so the "scale" may not always be correct for your layout. Russell: What is that platform thing below the tank? I had never noticed something like that before. It appears to me that your model is spot on. I finished the Korbel kit ellipsoidal tank. I used Gold Medal Model freight car ladders. The Korbel handrails for H0 scale are actually N scale size, so I used them. I think it may make the tank look much larger. Here it is sitting on the layout. I need to finish it up with scenery, nice identification sign, weathering, etc.
I really don't know. I guess it gives some sort of access to the main pipe for inspection or maintenance. A lot of these old towers have them. I modeled one on this tower too.
Thanks, Russell> I think as many tanks have them as do not. Here is an interesting page on Texas water towers. Luling, Texas, watermelon capital. Kermit, Texas.
I don't know if this will work on the HO water tower but a roof from an N-scale Rix grain bin(available as a separate piece) worked like a charm onthe N-scale Plastruct water tower.
Some great modelling and some great ideas! How sturdy is the Korber model? I need to put a water-tank at the front-edge of my layout and i am concerned that an operator might knock it over... You can see the tower in the right-hand side of this picture.... Thanks Dirk
The Korber water tower is very sturdy; however, I am sure your operators could demolish it. I'm not sure I would locate it in a place where it might get knocked over. Just my two cents on that. The Korber water tower series (four different tank types; same tower base) probably leaves a little to be desired for detail. All of the "steel" beams except the four corner posts are round. Also, the triangular gusset plates are not all the same. There are left and right plates and inside and outside plates. So, four types and all appear to be about the same. You need to read through the instructions with this in mind. I was forewarned about this and I am sure it kept me from making an error in the assembly for failing to carefully note the differences. Also, the railing around the tower at the top is N scale. If you are in H0 scale you should make provisions for an alternate railing. I am not sure, but I think the appearance of the H0 tower will be changed with the larger railing.
Here are two roof top water towers that I made this afternoon. I need a few rooftop water towers, so I made these without much research. I used PVC and styrene; it took about 30 minutes after I had planned how to do it. I like the way these look, but, if anything, they may be too large. My thought is the weight a large water tank would put on a roof might be too much especially this green one. Anyway, it was a fun project to do.
Flash - I like that Korber water tank . Your 55 foot tank will only furnish about 21 pounds of water pressure at ground level, probably not enough to run a major appliance. Your tenants might sue you. The package my optical mouse came in had a flashing red LED embedded in the package to draw ones attention. I used the flasher unit to power the light on my Plastruct water tank. Now can someone tell me what color the light on top of a water tank is supposed to be. Thanks Al
alhoop: Thanks. I don't worry about the water pressure as I don't really have water in the pipes anyway. But it is a good point. The light should be a red obstruction light, AFAIK. If it is modern, it probably has a strobe on it.
Forget the water tank Flash,I would like to see another post by you on the junk yard in the background.I want to do one on my layout but would love to see more photos of yours.Thanks in advance.
I believe they are red. Most permanent towers and tall structures that I see have a flashing red light on top. Edit: Sorry, I see that Flash has already answered this.
