Re: Water quality

Generally speaking, the further you get away from it's high mountain source, the more impurities the water pics up. That being said, Antonito to Chama had good water that came from local springs or fed into streams and rivers close to the source. Alamosa's present water is not too great because of alkalinity issues from the deep artesian wells. When the water table was higher years ago, it might have been different.

West of Chama the water came from local streams and rivers flowing from the mountains picking up dissolved minerals, which required treatment. Farmington was noted for having bad water and crews did what they could to avoid taking too much water there. Everything departing Chama, left with a full tank of water. Being mostly down grade, they made it to either Navajo or Gato for water, the got water again at La Boca if necessary when they were climbing over the mesas to Durango. Eastbounds had more grades to contend with and got water at La Boca, Gato and Monero.

Farmington trains went all the way to Farmington before needing water, then stopped on the way back at Bondad.