Superquick - A12 - Coaling Tower

Refuelling stages for trains bound for the far ends of the country were a vital component in a national steam network. With a railway network running at full steam, coal towers like this would be found at key stages along the rail routes mainly on the outskirts of cities and at major transport hubs.

The locomotives would arrive at these structures, stopping beneath the funnel to refuel from the main compartment.

Laden coal wagons would arrive on the side track and either tip their loads into a waiting hopper to be winched up the side rails or each wagon disconnected, lifted and tipped into the main coal housing.