Coal and Water (on the South Park)

Posted by Keith Hayes on Feb 23, 2015; 4:14am
URL: http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/Coal-and-Water-on-the-South-Park-tp1381.html

Questions. I have questions.

First, it is peculiar that on the South Park coaling and water facilities only coincided at Denver, Como, Dickey, Leadville, (Hancock), Pitkin and Gunnison. No wonder this was an expensive railroad to operate: trains could rarely stop for fuel and water at the same place! Okay, maybe it was only at Pine Grove.

Here is a compilation for coaling locations from the 1922 Timetable (with some help from other sources).

I did not include the coaling platforms that were likely at Boreas, Climax, Hancock and Alpine Tunnel, as these were not listed (though if popular demand asks for it, I will include them and any other corrections). Note that coal docks are about 40 miles apart.

What got me thinking about this is how many carloads of coal a locomotive requires. John was kind enough to log all of the D&RGW tender capacities in his post on C&S #70, but I cannot find that he compiled C&S tender capacities anywhere. What's up with that John? Anyway, knowing the tender capacity (heaped) would tell us how many carloads need to be delivered at Dickey or Pine Grove. One can imagine that those four-locomotive freights pounding up Platte Canon required an extra locomotive just to haul the coal to refuel the train!

In contrast, here is the data I could find on watering holes:

I am sure there are some missing tanks here. Some moved, and a few were abandoned. I find it hard to believe there is not a tank between Como and Bakers Tank (the latter is not listed on the 1922 timetable, nor is French Gulch or Three Mile).  On the other hand Solitude and Kokomo seem redundant. Distance between water tanks averages just under 10 miles, or three water stops for each coal stop. Also of note is the number of water columns and odd spouts (Breck and Mount Princeton) in contrast to the more iconic wooden water tanks. In fact, considering the examples at Dome Rock and Garos, one is apt to conclude there is no such thing as at typical South Park water tank.

So there you have it. Talk amongst yourselves.