Walthers Cornerstone HO Scale Steel Water Tank Structure Kit Grey, 8
Water was vital to railroad operations in the days of steam. Thousands of gallons were needed to keep the engines hot and the railroad running. But as locos grew bigger, older tanks were often unable to meet demand. When plate steel became cheap enough to use as a building material in the 1920s, railroads began replacing decaying wooden towers with all-steel designs. These larger capacity tanks were usually erected away from the tracks, supplying water to thirsty locos via standpipes. This allowed the most versatility, as the standpipes could be erected where they were needed most. This was a common option for engine terminals and some smaller stations, where there was simply no room for the big tanks. Many of these steel tanks lasted beyond the days of steam and still supply water to shops or other company facilities. Kit - 3-1/4 x 3 x 7" 11.3 x 7.5 x 17.5 cm.