Re: Lava Tank and pumphouse

Lava Tank was in use by the D&RGW until the end in 1968. In the winter of 1966 the Antonito tank froze and was badly damaged. From then until the end in Dec. 1968 most every westbound train stopped at Lava for water. Even before this happened, heavy westbound freights stopped at Lava regularly. Remember, a full-tonnage pipe drag makes an engine work just as hard on 1.42%. 10 miles of hard slugging uses just as much water.
The first trains on the C&TS in 1970 used Lava Tank. The tank was usable until it burned in 1971 or so. The Antonito Tank was hauled up there to replace it, but a small steel tank was installed to hold the water. Sometime in the early 1970's the pump was ruined by letting it freeze up. The Fairbanks-Morse engine is still in existance at the agricultural museum in La Jara. The RR donated it to them in the early 1980's and it has since been restored to operation.