Hi everyone, I just finished building this FSM's coaling tower and I thought I would share some photos of it with you here.
I did not do a build on it because a build of it was already done by a member named Opa George.
I found it to be very helpful when I was building mine.
Though he did not cover the building of the sand house & machinery shed in his build.
You can view that build by clicking on this link to it posted below.
https://modelersforum.com/index.php?topic=5240.msg142156#msg142156
This coaling tower is based on a real prototype in Winnipeg, Manitoba used and built by the Canadian National Railway in Canada.
I found it to be one of the more difficult kits that I have built from Fine Scale Miniatures line of kits.
I switched out the Campbell's shingles that come with the kit for corrugated metal roofing instead.
I also added LED lighting to my tower, as I do with all of my builds.
I plan to use this on my layout so I did not ballast the track yet, or do any other scenery work on it yet.
I figured it would be better to do that stuff once I am ready to install it into my layout.
So here is how it all came out looking upon completion.
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Greg
As I recall, the 'original model' was a contest-winning model by Canadian modeler Jock Oliphant, which was written up in the model magazines the year it won at NMRA.
NICE work!
dave
Really nicely done, Greg.
It looks terrific. Nice ridge capping.
Cheers, Mark.
Greg this is built to your very high standards.
Perfectly done!
Jerry
Sweet in a high pitched voice!
Philip
Greg, that's another beauty.
I always enjoy seeing your models.
I'm excited to see this layout you're building.
I'm guessing the Rail Scale Miniatures mention is a typo.
Quote from: deemery on July 20, 2026, 01:08:42 PMAs I recall, the 'original model' was a contest-winning model by Canadian modeler Jock Oliphant, which was written up in the model magazines the year it won at NMRA.
NICE work!
dave
Thanks, Dave.
You must have a very good memory!
Yes indeed Jack did build an award winning model of this coaling tower.
Except his was the exact copy of the original tower, which was much bigger than this one from FSM's
George condensed his version of this tower for this kit offering of it.
However he still managed to capture the escsence of the real coal tower it was based on.
Stafford Swain did a multi part article in the 80's in Model Railroad Craftsman of building the full size version of the real tower.
He thought he could use this kit, however the lumber in the kit was all to short.
So he ended up using only the castings from this kit to build the larger version of this same tower.
Greg
Quote from: Mark Dalrymple on July 20, 2026, 03:46:15 PMReally nicely done, Greg.
It looks terrific. Nice ridge capping.
Cheers, Mark.
Mark, thanks very much!
That ridge capping was made by Hamilton Model Works.
Sadly they are no longer in business.
Greg
Quote from: Jerry on July 20, 2026, 04:04:19 PMGreg this is built to your very high standards.
Perfectly done!
Jerry
Jerry, you are always so very kind with your comments!
Thank you for that!
Greg
Quote from: Philip on July 20, 2026, 05:50:41 PMSweet in a high pitched voice!
Philip
Philip, thanks very much!
You really must stop breathing in Helium, it's long term use can't be good for you. :)
Greg
Quote from: Rick on July 20, 2026, 06:06:56 PMGreg, that's another beauty.
I always enjoy seeing your models.
I'm excited to see this layout you're building.
I'm guessing the Rail Scale Miniatures mention is a typo.
Rick, thanks so much!
Your excited to see my layout! I'm even more excited to see my layout!
Now if somebody could talk to my wife about all of the other projects she has me working on instead, maybe I could have more time to work on it!
Yes indeed the Rail Scale Miniatures was a mistake, so I fixed that.
Greg
That looks really nice. Could you take a few pictures of it at night to show off the lighting? Great rendition of this kit. Thanks for sharing, Mark
It's long term use can't be good for you. :)
Well heck!
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quote author=craftsmankits link=msg=208380 date=1784587868]
That looks really nice. Could you take a few pictures of it at night to show off the lighting? Great rendition of this kit. Thanks for sharing, Mark
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Thanks so much, Mark.
I would like to take this coaling tower outside at dusk to photograph soon.
However I did take this photo of it on my workbench last night, that shows some of the lighting a bit better.
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I will post some more night photos when I get a chance to take them.
Greg
Quote from: Philip on July 20, 2026, 07:11:03 PMIt's long term use can't be good for you. :)
Well heck!
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Philip, you've been warned! ;D
Thanks for having a sense of humor!
Greg
Those lights look good!
Howdy Greg,
The coaling tower kit assembly is outstanding. The corrugated roofing is perfect and complements the structure. The lighting is well placed and highlights the tower. Your excellent finishing sets it off.
Have fun,
mike
Thanks for posting a night shot. Such nice work. Mark
Quote from: craftsmankits on July 21, 2026, 07:13:56 PMThanks for posting a night shot. Such nice work. Mark
Yeah, that looks -great- with the lights!
dave
Philip, Mike, Mark & Dave, thanks for your nice comments!
I am heading back up to our cottage to work again.
We are building a bunkie for extra sleeping space.
Our cottage is on a lake called Go Home Lake.
I now call it Go Home tired lake because all I ever seem to do is work up there!
So I took the coal tower outside and took a few photos of it so that you can better see how the lights look on the tower.
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Greg
Exquisite 8)
Greg, thanks for the additional pictures.
My God that is excellent.
Just love the sanding facility also.
Jerry
Greg,
Yes, indeed, you are a great builder and always show exquisite details.
Your outside photos with the lights is such an added attraction. Thanks
for sharing.
Rich
Greg did you get my PM???
Jerry
Greg,
Excellent build. When I built mine, there were no LEDs on the market. I used grain of wheat bulbs which were all the craze back then. I sold mine some 10 years ago.
Again, most impressive model build.
Tom
Awesome work, Greg.
Jeff
Hi Guys, I just got back from the cottage last night.
Thanks so much for all of your very nice comments, I really appreciate them!
Jerry I will answer your PM right now.
Greg
Great looking Coaling tower Greg. Will be a wonderful addition to your layout.
Nice to see you are still adding lights to your builds. Those night shots always look great.
Hi Rob, sorry for the late reply.
I've been up north building a bunkie at our cottage.
Thanks for your kind words once again!
Lighting up structures up is a bit of a curse, once you start doing it, you can't stop doing it.
Greg