As anyone that likes/wants to run a steam locomotive on a "modern" route knows, refueling stops are an issue since they simply aren't there. So far, we've had to either go without or add older style coaling and water towers that look out of place on a modern route. Or, we have to wait and hope that someone goes through the trouble to either create a period correct route or backdate an existing route.
So, I have an idea/suggestion for our model creators to at least help address the lack of fueling stops for steam locomotives on modern routes. How about we have some refueling trucks made?
A truck with coal in the back and has a boom & clamshell bucket attached to it and it works just like any "coaling tower". (I've seen such a truck used before on excursions.) A tanker truck could also be a "coaling tower" but for use when a oil-burning locomotive is used. And lastly, another tanker truck could be used as a "water tower". These should have generic paint jobs so that they can be used on any route.
These would still require the user to place them along the route (I'd clone the route in question and add them to the clone.), BUT it would make it possible to run the steam locomotives on a modern route without having to add older, out of place, refueling equipment.
wopflyer
P.S.,
If a single coal truck with an attached boom & shovel/bucket is to difficult, a seperate coal truck and "caterpillar" style shovel would work.

