scale yard light tower

Darn I was hoping someone would have an idea.      If you paint the entire MTH tower flat black they look really good.  thats what I did and several other forum members.

I have bought the Marx two light towers at train shows for anywhere from 10 dollars to 15 dollars. They don't look bad on the layout................Paul

Maybe Menards will release an O scale version of that Alkem tower, with lights? And perhaps shortened a little in height. I would sure be in for several.

Anyone got any pix of the black painted version of the MTH that was mentioned above?

Rod

Here is  my MTH painted flat black

I have thought about this as well as I really like the Alkem tower. 

The best I can come up with is to purchase two (2) of the Lionel 195 light towers, from an on-line auction or flea-market. Remove the lights, then after making the appropiate cuts to the desired height of one of the towers glue the two towers together. Then remove the light platform with the lights intact from an another flea-market Lionel 395 light tower and assemble this to the top. Wire it up, spray it down, and weather it.........  Cheap, no but maybe a passable facsimile .  

Here is weathered version of the MTH tower.

Johan

I had 3 scale light towers on layout. Then I received 3 Marx light towers. Somehow I liked these better even though I try to keep everything in scale, the towers remind me that my trains and layout are still toys and help keep things in perspective and besides, its what I had as a kid.

NHVRYGRAY,

The issue is the height. I believe the actual tower on which the Alkem is based is around 84'. Alkem mentions the C&O but it appears these towers are also used by NS (nee N&W) in Roanoke. 

Paul, I agree about the look of the Marx tower lights. I think they look the best of all the lights. You know making your own would not be hard. Just some girders and scale LEDs is all it would take. I have always wondered why no one has made them. I made these street lights from Walthers HO brass lights. The light heads were a little over scale for HO so I simply pulled the short brass poles off and replaced them with longer brass tubing. They came in three different types. Don

The idea of the 195 towers has merit,  the structural members look big, but might be acceptable.  Even then I don't know if I could bring myself to put the 395 light base on top.

I think I will make some inquiry's.

On another subject, Johan, Please tell us about the HH switcher, I don't remember a commercial model made of that engine, but I may have just forgotten.

Thanks to all

Gray Lackey

https://railwaylaserlines.co.u...ard-tower-light-kit/

I also like the Marx towers, have 4 on the layout with another in reserve.