| "COLA" STYLE BRICK TOWER |
COLA tower, as seen on the right was built following the
unfortunate destruction of tower LG-42 when ice flows,
built-up against the Columbia-Wrightsville bridge caused
the Susquehanna to overflow its banks an undermine the
tower, which sat just on the bank of the Susquehanna
River between the Frederick Branch to York and the
Lincoln Highway bridge. When rebuilt, the tower was
rebuilt a quarter mile south of where it stood and built if
more solid brick in a flemish-bond style pattern.
The tower since built has seen many trains since it
governed movement of train east and west from lancaster
to York, as well as trains north and south on the Atglen &
Susquehanna, known as the PRR's "Low-Grade" line to
Philadelphia, and movements of train onto and off of the
Columbia & Port Deposit Branch to Perryville and beyond.
The tower still stands outlasting the Pennsylvania railroad,
Penn Central, Conrail and still serves Norfolk Southern
today as the heart of the CTC system for the C&PD and
what's left of the A&S.
unfortunate destruction of tower LG-42 when ice flows,
built-up against the Columbia-Wrightsville bridge caused
the Susquehanna to overflow its banks an undermine the
tower, which sat just on the bank of the Susquehanna
River between the Frederick Branch to York and the
Lincoln Highway bridge. When rebuilt, the tower was
rebuilt a quarter mile south of where it stood and built if
more solid brick in a flemish-bond style pattern.
The tower since built has seen many trains since it
governed movement of train east and west from lancaster
to York, as well as trains north and south on the Atglen &
Susquehanna, known as the PRR's "Low-Grade" line to
Philadelphia, and movements of train onto and off of the
Columbia & Port Deposit Branch to Perryville and beyond.
The tower still stands outlasting the Pennsylvania railroad,
Penn Central, Conrail and still serves Norfolk Southern
today as the heart of the CTC system for the C&PD and
what's left of the A&S.
The model, being manufactured in HO is built to the same
high-qulaity specifications as Mount Vernon Shops
previous tower, YORK and has taken its level of details to
the next step. The window-less clear acrylic pilot model
can be seen on the left. The model will include two
different foundations, either the one shown on the model
or a foundation for the tower as it sits currently in
Columbia with almost the full depth of the basement
shown. Additionally, holes have been cut for placement of
train order flags at the modelers descretion, as well as
holes cut in place for the modeler to "light up" both the
interior and the track illumination lights on the front of the
tower. A price has not been confirmed yet, but will be
shortly. This model will be availible in HO Scale only.
high-qulaity specifications as Mount Vernon Shops
previous tower, YORK and has taken its level of details to
the next step. The window-less clear acrylic pilot model
can be seen on the left. The model will include two
different foundations, either the one shown on the model
or a foundation for the tower as it sits currently in
Columbia with almost the full depth of the basement
shown. Additionally, holes have been cut for placement of
train order flags at the modelers descretion, as well as
holes cut in place for the modeler to "light up" both the
interior and the track illumination lights on the front of the
tower. A price has not been confirmed yet, but will be
shortly. This model will be availible in HO Scale only.
Above is the pilot model which was completed on january 28th, 2007. With this model being completed as-is the next step will be to write
instructions. Once that is done a limited run of 10-15 towers will be produced and sold. If you are interested in a tower you can contact John at
admin@mountvernonshops.com to be placed on a reserved waiting list. Overall this has been a very fun model to work on since concieved in May
of 2006 for Bruce Smith. In the same tradition that the YORK tower model was dedicated to John's father Ivan Frantz Jr. the COLA tower model is
dedicated to Bruce Smith and the inspiration he's been to John Frantz. Once COLA hits production, Mount Vernon Shops will no longer be taking
requests for towers. Due to the amount of time dedicated to other projects the owner of Mount Vernon Shops will be changing the scope of its
business in the next few months. This doesn't mean it wont stop fulfilling orders for either YORK or COLA towers or producing more towers in the
future. Typically a tower has been done every 2-3 years. If the planning schedule of Mount Vernon Shops presents time for another tower one will
be done. It is fair to say that the owner of Mount Vernon Shops has two towers in mind for future projects.
instructions. Once that is done a limited run of 10-15 towers will be produced and sold. If you are interested in a tower you can contact John at
admin@mountvernonshops.com to be placed on a reserved waiting list. Overall this has been a very fun model to work on since concieved in May
of 2006 for Bruce Smith. In the same tradition that the YORK tower model was dedicated to John's father Ivan Frantz Jr. the COLA tower model is
dedicated to Bruce Smith and the inspiration he's been to John Frantz. Once COLA hits production, Mount Vernon Shops will no longer be taking
requests for towers. Due to the amount of time dedicated to other projects the owner of Mount Vernon Shops will be changing the scope of its
business in the next few months. This doesn't mean it wont stop fulfilling orders for either YORK or COLA towers or producing more towers in the
future. Typically a tower has been done every 2-3 years. If the planning schedule of Mount Vernon Shops presents time for another tower one will
be done. It is fair to say that the owner of Mount Vernon Shops has two towers in mind for future projects.
The above three pictures give two overall oblique views of the tower and one close up detail view of the front of COLA in which the flemish-bond
brickwork is clearly visible as well as the brick detail on the two track illumination lights. Also worth noting are the basement windows as well as
the outside entrace to the basement, which contains the air compressors for maintaining air for moving the turnouts. The two holes een below the
front winodws of the tower aren't mistakes, they are meant to be holes in which train order flags may be placedd as an extra detail. Unfortunately
these were too big on the pilot model but have since been adjusted.
brickwork is clearly visible as well as the brick detail on the two track illumination lights. Also worth noting are the basement windows as well as
the outside entrace to the basement, which contains the air compressors for maintaining air for moving the turnouts. The two holes een below the
front winodws of the tower aren't mistakes, they are meant to be holes in which train order flags may be placedd as an extra detail. Unfortunately
these were too big on the pilot model but have since been adjusted.
| RELEASE DATE: 2007 Retired Date: 2009 HO COLA TOWER: SOLD OUT! |