Re: Los Pinos Water Tank

Dave Grandt measured the Los Pinos tank in May 1970. A drawing of the tank in 1/4" to the foot was made primarily from Dave's measurements and photographs prior to October 1986. This plan was reduced to HO scale and published in the Nov/Dec 1987 NG&SL Gazette. The tank in this drawing was apparently slightly larger than the rebuild done late 1980's in that the tank staves were 3" x 5" x 12 ' under the eves, and the ID at the base of the tank was 18' 3".

The Colorado Rail Annual No. 31 states the Los Pinos tank was originally a 24' x 16' tank (50,000 gallon), and by the 1930's the tank was a standard 24 x 16 tank. I do not know if the author was suggesting a replacement tank was also 24 x 16 or if the original tank was still in place. In any event, the Don Rogers photo of May 25, 1939 seems to show a smaller tank at Los Pinos supported by three rows of posted rather than four rows of posts usually associated with a 24 x 16 tank.

Part II of the CRA No 31 lists places and the original tank sizes. 18 x 16 shows as a 30,000 gallon tank and appears to be reasonably common. 16 x 12 shows as a 15,000 gallon tank, and is not as prevalent as the 18 x 16 tank. No listings show for a 18 x 12 tank. It appears the D&RGW Los Pinos tank that replaced the original 24 x 16 tank was a "one - of" rather than a standard plan.

Dave Adams