Has anyone else built on of their sand towers? I tell ya I did and it wasnt that fun figuring things out. First off the metal suports for the sand hoses arent the right length in my set the brass tube from the top of the sand tower wasnt bent right. After revamping most of it to work right I had issues with soldering the to brass hoses together and then soldering them to the inside of the sand tower bin. After about an hour of messing with it. It was finishednd ready for painting which I have not done. I do think its a great addition to the layout for older diesels but don recomment it for the Dash 8 or the SDmacs etc where the sand hatch is in the back etc.
I do have a second Stewart sand tower and just trying to figure out how to convert it to make it useable for the newer diesels. Any Ideas?
I had one too and I don’t plan on using it either. It’s OK but not very detailed and you probably could scratch build something better (which is pretty much what you did). Mine will be replaced with a Plastruct kit and there’s another built in my Tichy coaling tower.
For the newer diesels, you just use a single support arm, but it will have to swing away. You’ll need to fabricate a bracket from brass stock with two holes (brass holds up better than styrene). One for the support column to fit through and one hole for the “L” shape hose support. Solder a “head” on the hose support (like a hinge pin). Or maybe a long finish nail with the point cut off will do. Perhaps add a diagonal support brace to the arm for looks. Attach the hose to the hopper and support arm. There will need to be enough slack in the hose to swing it away and enough hose hanging down to reach the sand hatches.
gsetter,
I had a plastruct one I bought it at Walthers they sometimes have them in the 50% off area. I got it home and started to build it found out i had lots of parts missing then all of a sudden it disappeared and I was figuring what I needed to finish it. Maybe I will cheat and make one of my own with my imagination, since not all railroads use the same sand tower equipment and my railroad is fictional.
That must have been why it was 50% off. Half the parts were missing [:(]
When things dissappear in my home, especially potatoes, tomatoes, miniture light bulbs, eye glasses, pocket knifes and anything shinny, you can bet it was one of the cats. Most likely Dulsi the torti. If you have a cat, look under the living room chair and couch. That’s usually where I find missing items [:(!]
It’s not cheating. It’s called “Modelers License” [;)]