a quick summary of petroleum traffic on the D&RGW related narrow gauge lines.
Bulk oil was moved from Farmington to Montrose over D&RG and RGS in the narrow frame UTLX cars for transhipment to Utah, after The Ames slide closed the RGS in 1929, the traffic moved from Farmington to Montrose over the D&RG. About the end of 1929 a transfer was built in Salida and the Oil was transfered to std gauge there. By 1932 the depression and some other factors had put an end to this business.
Following the completion of the Continental- Mutual refinery in 1925, gasoline and kerosene were moved from Farmington over the entire narrow gauge system until some time in 1943. This traffic was handled in CONX, COLX, and some UTLX tanks. All of the 48 CONOCO cars were used in this business with the possible exception of CONX 5,8,14,19, and 35 which were used on the C&S.
During the late 1930's A large quanity of road oil was moved from Wyoming to Alamosa, Transfered into narrow gauge cars and move over various part so the system. these are probably the cars you see in the 1940 shots in Durango. This traffic was mostly moved in UTLX frameless cars, although some of the narrow frame cars (those with heaters) were used.
I suspect that during the war this was suspended. But it did resume in 1946.
Regarding the Texas Co. cars. These seemed to be used to move gasoline from Salida south and west over the system. The photo of the 10 cars at Alamosa is after these cars were no longer in use. They are on their way to oblivion.
Again any and all of the cars could be found over the entire system. Come and attend my Clinic in Salt Lake City.
Dave
