Re: Lava Tank

There are only two non-functional tanks on the C&TSRR. One is at "Weed City" or Lobato which served as a movie set, originally built for the 1970 movie "Shootout" with Gregory Peck. That tank was also used in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade." Apparently, all but the metal base collapsed under the snow this winter.
The other non-functioning tank is at Lava. The original Lava tank was fed from the Rio Los Pinos and water had to be pumped 400 vertical feet from the river to the tank. The beautiful stone pumphouse is still standing by the river and it was once someone's undoubtedly lonely job to man the pump and keep the water flowing. The original tank at Lava burned in 1971 and was replaced by a tank brought in from Antonito.
Lava is 10 miles from Antonito and more than 600 feet higher in elevation so it was an important watering stop for heavy tonnage westbound freights. It was also an important watering stop for snow fighting equipment that would be turned there to head back west.
If you look at the topography of the area, you can surmise that the D&RG went about 5 miles out of their way to get to Lava because they needed access to a reliable water source.