Wenlock's Blog

3 hours ago, Gordon A said:

The need for a water tower for watering locos at the station depends on the length of your branch line.

If the length of the branch is such that the locos need to take water at your station  for every trip, then the tower needs to be large enough to have the capacity to top up the loco's tanks with enough left over to meet the station's needs.

A question worth considering is if the station is not on a main water supply, where does it get it's water from?

How quickly can the water tank be replenished?

 

Gordon A

Hi Gordon, all points worth considering, thanks for your thoughts.  I’ve not really given much thought about how long the branch is.

 

2 hours ago, Compound2632 said:

 

It's likely to be supplied from a nearby watercourse, the railway having negotiated water rights. Ideally there'd be a stream up the hillside, above the tank level. Alternatively, there may have to be a pump. Here's a photo of the facilities at Abbotsbury, in a ruinous state. (I'm sure Dave is familiar with this photo.)

Rather conveniently I’ve decided that there is indeed a watercourse nearby:-)

 

Thanks for the picture of Abbotsbury, it all looks rather forlorn I’m afraid, such is progress!

20 minutes ago, wenlock said:

Rather conveniently I’ve decided that there is indeed a watercourse nearby:-)

 

Reality concurs There is/was the Mill Stream running just to the south of the shed.

 

https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=18&lat=50.6657&lon=-2.5889&layers=168&b=1

 

Presumably that's where the supply was taken from - I'd guess via a simple pumping engine in the tower base similar to the set-up that used to exist at Williton.

3 hours ago, wenlock said:

Hi Grahame, quite right!  Thanks for the appropriate picture from one of my favourite films!

 

That’s actually a very good idea!  If and when I extend the layout and model the other side of the bridge I would have all the necessary buildings already made!

Of course it’s a good idea!

Interesting discussion. Because you have made any decisions about the length of your branch line this could also be a solution. I quote form the book about the Fairford Branch pag. 91: 'Since this was the principal intermediate station on the branch, water columns were situated  on both platforms, and all trains paused here to take water.' The water tower was situated at the other side of the bridge. 

 

 

From your description it could also be an end station:" In my  imagination at the other side of the road bridge lies Sherton Abbas's engine shed, turntable, water tower and ash pit." In that cause a small engine shed with water tower could also be a possibility at the end of the sidings. Tetbury engine shed could be a possibility in my opinion.

 

I agree with you a water supply for your loco's would be a great operational addition.

 

Edited February 21, 2019 by Job's Modelling