Water towers of this type were built for many railroads, from the late 1800s until the end of steam power. Some are still standing and in use at shops or yards. The kit includes optional courses to build a 100,000 gallon (2 courses) or 125,000 gallon (3 courses) capacity tank. The kit also includes two different tops, bottoms and beam lengths, so any common variation can be built. A Fairbanks-Morse water column kit is also included.