Harry Heike’s latestcreation

I remember these 

  Hours and hours spent stuck in traffic on the L.I.E. looking at these.

These were all over St. Louis, MO too.  Just read this on wikipedia:

Gasometers are comparatively rare in the United States. The most notable of these were erected in St. Louis by the Laclede Gas Light Company in the early 20th century. These gasometers remained in use until the early first decade of the 21st century, when the last one was decommissioned and abandoned in place. The most recently used gasometer in the United States was on the southeast side of Indianapolis, but it has been demolished along with the Citizens Energy Group coke plant. Another pair of holders at the Newtown Holder Station, in Elmhurst, Queens, in New York City, was a popular landmark for traffic reporters until they were demolished in 1996 and became Elmhurst Park. The demolition of two larger "Maspeth Tanks" in nearby Greenpoint, Brooklyn, was described by The New York Times at length.^[26]

We had one of these in Scranton PA right next to the CNJ tracks near the downtown. I believe it was removed in the late 60s or early 70s.  The concept of using water to seal in the gas at the bottom rim as the gas raised the tank was a great science lesson for a young lad.   Fascinating!

First a much deserved "Happy Birthday" to Harry!  He has always been wonderful to hang out with in York.  I love his work and wish my pocket book did as well.  He is one the remaining true craftsman and his humor on some of his buildings is priceless.  Someday I hope to get his hotel facade on a layout of mine.

The tank is great.  I remember seeing them along the NJ Turnpike growing up. 

We used to have a large one near the downtown area in Sioux City, IA. It was owned by IPS, Iowa Public Service.

Dick

I want one for my layout.....they were all over So Cal.....

There were two open frame gasometers around 36th and Pulaski avenue in Chicago.  It always fascinated me as a kid that each time we drove by, the vessels were at different heights.

Now, the real trick would be to animate a gasometer model.  Movement of the vessels was imperceptible in real life, so it would have to move pretty slow, I would say top to bottom in an hour or 45 minutes.  Otherwise operation would appear rather comical.

Rusty