Surviving "Steam Era" locomotive coaling tower. Chicago Illinois USA. July 2006.

This enginehouse facility was photographed by Me in early July of 2006. This is the former Chicago and North Western railroad diesel enginehouse located at 400 North Pulaski Rd on the Westside of the city of Chicago Illinois USA. This facility is now known as the Union Pacific Railroads M-19 Diesel Shop. The old Concrete coaling tower, wich proboubly dates from the 1920's or even earlier, was used to refuel coal burning steam locomotives. Diesel fuel is delivered to a locomotive fuel tank through Hoses and Pumps. Steam locomotives that burned coal, had to have their tenders fed through the use of gravity. Coal was delivered to the tower by Hopper cars, Then the coal was lifted into the tower by conveyer belts, or by special dumping tram cars carried up on an elevator. Inside the tower is a "Slope panel" wich gravity feeds the coal to the Chutes. The Chicago and Northwestern Railroad retired their steam locomotive fleet for good in 1956. It was a unique pleasure knowing that there are still a few surviving remnants left in this world today.
Another "Simular" preserved example like this can be seen on the "Nevada Northern" tourist railroad located in East Ely Nevada USA.