Leadville Standpipe

[Keith Hayes]

I finally got around to finishing my Leadville Standpipe in SketchUp. Here it is prior to scaling it down.



I also submitted this to Shapeways: we shall see how the NBW detail renders. If it makes it through the QA review and they print it, I will post a photo when I receive it. It is missing some parts, as I figured they would be more durable in brass, and will apply them later.

Dave Grandt was kind enough to send me a close up photo for my use. If you have a good image of this standpipe, please post it--I would like to know more about the valve assembly. For whatever reason, I have not seen many photos of the standpipe (or the nearby section house, for that matter). I bet a lot of folks passed it by not knowing what it was--I suspect it survived well into the 60s--maybe even the 70s.

[John Schapekahm]

CONTENTS DELETED

The author has deleted this message.

[Darel Leedy]

I received the following note from Randy Rieck:

Hi Darel,

Here is a picture of the Leadville Standpipe taken in the early 1970's that may be of
some help to Keith Hayes. Keith also may want to refer to the series of articles by
Lane Stewart starting in the late 2001-2002 Narrow Gauge Gazettes for sump plumbing
ideas.  Included also are 2 pictures of the Standpipe at Buena Vista on the Chalk Creek
Branch.

The amount of C&S material that is appearing on your blog is phenomenal. My knowledge
is expanding.

I haven't learned to upload the pictures yet. We have reviewed your suggestions for
uploading and will try to do it successfully another time.

Randy Rieck

[Keith Hayes]

Purrrrfect! Thanks.

[Mike Trent]

Some time ago, Joe Crea asked me if I had any photos of this standpipe. I think I found a picture my Dad had taken, or maybe it was a photo that showed it with #75. I's been a while. But whatever it was I sent him showed only the upper part of it. He told me that he had taken a picture of it back in the 70's, before it was taken down.

Yesterday he sent an email with a copy of the picture that he'd found after all this time. I told him it would be of interest to this group and he said it was fine to post it. Hopefully, one of these days, he will emerge as a contributor here, although this is a great start.

The question I have is, was this standpipe put in service in the early 40's, as work was being done to standard gauge what was then the Climax Branch, or was this already in use prior to 1937? If it was, did it have to be modified to reach the top of the tanks on the big 600's that were used after the line was broad gauged? Or, was the standpipe just left unused after '43 and the engines watered from City Water in the roundouse?

I posted this before seeing the pics that Randy sent earlier. The one of the actual standpipe is great because it shows the other side from Joe's angle, and also shows the proximity to the depot and the good old #641. And an excellent model, too. Well done. What scale do you model in, Randy?

[Chris Walker]

Mineral Belt 1 has a picture showing it in use filling the #75 dated 2nd July '41, pg337.

[Keith Hayes]

Mike, I too noted photos from late in operations with narrow gauge locomotives using this contraption.

What I cannot figure out is how the brace is attached: is it a sleeve that rotates on the vertical pipe?

And, what is the purpose of the short rod extending from below the elbow? I assume this is the valve, but perhaps it is part of the brace instead?

[Chris Walker]

I'd say the union mid-way between the lower diagonal brace and the top elbow is the swivel.  Lower end of diagonal brace would rotate around vertical pipework. The thin rod from the lower brace extends upward to the top horizontal pipe to tension against the water pressure.  Valve is located in the Frost box.

[Mike Trent]

I would speculate that the thin rod which extends down from the bracket and is certainly adjustable, secures the collar on the vertical pipe from slipping downward from the weight of water as it is in use. Otherwise the horizontal pipe could sag and that would be bad.. Very bad.

[Chris Walker]

1929 (?) Photo showing Watertank at Leadville, unable to be certain that it is a C&S tank as the C&S Roundhouse is further around to the right,  more likely being that of the D&RGW.

Bonus is the 2 passenger trains in town....




http://digital.denverlibrary.org/cdm/fullbrowser/collection/p15330coll22/id/983/rv/singleitem

[Keith Hayes]

I think you both are correct. The rod resists hammering of the water and consequent spontaneous failure. The valve is in the box. I already built my box, but these photos are much better, so now I have to hinge the door for the valve! The 3d print should show up any day now.

Regarding the photo below, what do you think, Rick--could this be the D&RGW tank?

[Keith Hayes]

Damn that smoking beast in front of the section house! I am also looking for some good, clear images of the section house that was directly north of the depot. Great image though!

[Chris Walker]

Keith,

Just in case you thought I was ignoring your requests for Leadville images, I'm not, just that they are all of a "taken miles away on a hill of many rooftops" format.

[Chris Walker]

But I lie...

I have been saving this for you to ponder.

Two Tanks, Two Roundhouses, the D&RG I'm sure being the lighter roofed at the right and rear.



http://digital.denverlibrary.org/cdm/fullbrowser/collection/p15330coll22/id/41189/rv/singleitem/rec/446

[Keith Hayes]

The stand pipe just arrived:

I suspect it broke in half when they pulled the part. I need to get this hom, check the scale and evaluate if I need to revise the model or use this one.

The resolution is much better than my previous parts.

[Mike Trent]

Ouch! Well, after all, it is Thursday the 12th. I have always had better luck on Friday the 13th's than Thursday the 12th's.

Good luck.

[Chris Walker]

That's because it is Friday!  The 13th.   {:))


BTW, just what is that ruler marked in, scale, imperial or metric?  I can't figure just how small this part is.

[Keith Hayes]

Imperial. The scale next to the part is 1/8"/1/4".

[Chris Walker]

So about 3/32" tube for the pipe?

[Keith Hayes]

Chris, for reasons I no longer recall, I figured the pipe was 4" diameter and built all the fittings based on that. Whaddya think?