PRODUCT REVIEW: ARISTO-CRAFT WATER TANK
Manufacturer: ARISTO-CRAFT TRAINS/Polk's Model Hobbies, Inc., 346 Bergen Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07304. Price: ART-7103 water tower $89.99 each suggested list.
WATER TANKS CAME in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and styles. Many railroads developed standard designs and built many identical or, at least, similar versions. Certain dimensions, such as the spout height and spout length, tended to fall within a given range because clearances and motive power proportions dictated them.
ARISTO-CRAFT's 1:29 scale water tank more closely resembles a branchline structure than one likely to appear on a mainline during the golden age of steam. It scales 38 feet 8 inches high and 19 feet 4 inches square at the base. The tank diameter scales 15 feet 8 1/2 inches, the spout height 16 feet 11 inches, and the spout length 14 1/2 feet. Those dimensions fall within acceptable limits but a 14 foot spout height and 10 foot spout length would be closer to average. The 14 1/2 inch square tank support timbers are similarly on the large size.
We cleverly re-measured the tank with a 1:24 scale rule and found its dimensions became completely average. The spout height, for example, reduced to a shade over 14 feet and the support timbers shrunk to 12 inches square. That suggests when ARISTO-CRAFT introduced the tank several years ago (and it has been out of production for the past five years), they might initially have targeted the so-called "G" scale market. In that context its size becomes appropriate for many more modelers.
The model is almost entirely plastic, very durable, and weather resistant. The tank bands, counterweights, and chains are brass. Machine screws and nuts secure the brass rod bands. The rings and pulleys appear to be nickel plated brass or stainless steel. The molded plastic base comes in an earth color with concrete gray footings. The tank base and spout hanger are dark brown, the tank itself is tan, the shingled roof is weathered light brown, and the ladder and spout are black. You will have to attach the ladder, counterweights, and chains. If you mainly use one hand and talk on the telephone as you work, you could spend as long as four minutes assembling the tank.
One final point: The tank is watertight, the roof is removable, and a flexible tube runs from the tank through the spout. In other words, you may use it as a dispenser for nearly any kind of liquid for either steam locomotive or engineer. Use your imagination.
ARISTO-CRAFT's water tank is a rugged and functional model. The quality is very good.-RR
