Re: New Mexico NG tank car couplers?

Hi, Bruce -

Per pages 34 & 35 of Rocky Mountain Railroads, Volume II by Dorman & Hayden,

"In San Juan County {New Mexico}, gas was discovered at Aztec in 1920 and oil
in Bloomfield in 1924 ...   Major movements of petroleum products began in 1924
and 1925 ...   Gramps later opened an oilfield at Chromo, Colorado, and a refinery
in Alamosa.

"Much of the Farmington oil went first to Durango, then over the Rio Grande Southern to Ridgway and Montrose,{!} and into standard gauge tank cars to a Salt Lake City refinery ...  A round trip took five days.

"By 1963 or 1964 the Gramps traffic ended and the Alamosa refinery was dismantled."   (On page 115 it is stated that "... the refinery closed about 1962." ??? )

I vaguely remember reading somewhere that the narrow gauge trucks were swapped for standard gauge at Montrose for the trip to Salt Lake City, rather than transferring the oil to standard gauge cars.  This would explain both the early use of the new style couplers on the narrow gauge cars, and the above statement that "a round trip took five days."  (The various dates given for the cessation of D&RGW oil transport from Chama to Alamosa is not the only uncertainty that I've noticed in this book, so take ALL of the above with a grain - or a gram - of salt.   Especially if you're indulging in a Margarita or a Dos Equis whilst reading) ...    

- Russ



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/15/2015 05:18PM by Russo Loco.