Effingham, IL: IC Railyard and Coaling Tower

(Satellite, the railyard extended a considerable distance to the south)

Illinois Central Railroad Scrapbook posted
Effingham, IL. Dec. 2, 1916. Coaling facilities such as this one were typically seen at smaller locations that did not service many locomotives. Every few days (or perhaps once a week) a crane would restock the bin. Coal was then delivered from the chute into the locomotive. Or sometimes the crane was used to load coal directly into the locomotive tenders, eliminating the need for any type of tower. IC photo, Cliff Downey coll.
Illinois Central Railroad Scrapbook shared
Paul Webb shared

1951 Effingham Quad @ 62,500

I presume the dark rectangle was the coaling tower.

Photo from ILHAP

Here is an example of what they did at the bigger yards. This was before they developed the tall concrete coaling towers.

Illinois Central Railroad Scrapbook posted via Dennis DeBruler