These massive concrete or wooden structures held hundreds of tons of coal above the tracks for rapid gravity-fed delivery into locomotive tenders. A mechanized hoist lifted coal from delivery hoppers into the overhead bins. They were essential infrastructure at major yards and division points during the steam era to minimize servicing time.
Heard on the job
The old concrete coaling tower is still standing at the edge of the yard, even though steam has been gone for decades.
Also heard as
- coaling plant