Ho scale water tower

erniemiller2

New Member
Oct 4, 2006
15
0
1
87
Does anyone know where I can find downloadable scale plans for an HO SCALE water tower that I can scratch build?
Thanks.
Ernie
 

MasonJar

It's not rocket surgery
Oct 31, 2002
5,362
0
36
Ottawa, Canada
Visit site
Hi Ernie,

I made this one:

http://www.zealot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=99201&highlight=water+tower

by eye as my first scratch-build. It roughly follows the ubiquitous Atlas model, with the core of the tower made from a sturdy cardboard ribbon spool.

Since the prototype ones varied widely in size and shape, I don't think you can go wrong with this approach, unless you are looking for something very specific.

Hope that helps,

Andrew
 

erniemiller2

New Member
Oct 4, 2006
15
0
1
87
Great job Andrew, thanks for the come back, it almost looks real, but can you tell me where you got the plans, or did you scratch build it. Were they from the internet?
Thanks,
Ernie
 

MasonJar

It's not rocket surgery
Oct 31, 2002
5,362
0
36
Ottawa, Canada
Visit site
Thanks for the kind words Ernie.

There were no plans... I got a few pictures from here on The Gauge, especially for the waterspout. But generally, the tower was a visual copy of the Atlas one, for which there are many pictures.

It was my first serious attempt at a scratch build. I did it because:

1) I had a fear of wrecking the seemingly expensive kits I had bought. I thought I needed some practice first...! :D

2) The ribbon spool looked about the right size.

3) There are no windows or doors to be cut into the structure.

Here's a fantastic how-to on making a tower with cardboard, paper, and strip wood:

http://www.zealot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=106164&highlight=water+spout

Try a search here - I know we have some great pictures of the "Canadian type" (enclosed base) by doctorwayne, and there may be others I cannot recall.

I think of all the railway structures out there, as long as it looks right, it probably is...! ;) I would urge you to just go for it! :)

Andrew
 

Squidbait

Recovering ALCO-holic
Jan 27, 2007
1,219
0
36
58
Paris, ON
I've never used this site, but apparently you can download the plans and instructions for this N-Scale water tower for free, just by registering.

They give instructions on how to enlarge the plans for whatever scale you want to build it in.

This site has engineering drawings of a C&NW water tower that you could use, but you'd be on your own for technique.