I'm afraid all three of the locomotive coaling towers I was familiar with, have been knocked down - Aberystwyth, Pembroke Dock, and Pontyclun. The latter two were of an earlier Dean's design, while the former was built during the 1930s. I may have the odd b&w photo I took of the one at Aberystwyth when I was in college there, but I would anticipate that there should be some at the SMR, RCAHMW, Plascrug, Aberystwyth; should you wish to follow up on this, have a word with Medwyn Parry on 01970 621218.

Hi All,

I think I have asked before, but just to make sure:

As far as I am aware there are only two surviving railway locomotive coaling towers still standing in the UK, one at Immingham, NE Lincolnshire and one at Carnforth in Lancashire. The latter is thought to retain its mechanical bits, whilst the Immingham one has been stripped. Both have inspired commercial models to be manufactured, Immingham by Hornby, Carnforth by Bachmann.

(see http://www.modelrailforum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=11446 which includes photographs of the Carnforth site)

Could anyone who knows of any other railway locomotive coaling towers surviving in the UK (or perhaps even in western Europe) please drop me a line with a name and location (and any references you have handy). I am not, at this point, interested in other forms of coal drops or stages, such as those used at collieries to fill rail trucks or at power stations.

Many thanks to you all.

Peter Iles

Specialist Advisor (Archaeology)

Lancashire County Council

Development Management

PO Box 100

County Hall

Preston

PR1 0LD

t.01772 531550

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