Beautiful old Frisco water tank in Beaumont, Kansas:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/box72/2275 ... otostream/

If this IS an old SLSF water tank, it's amazing that it is still standing, and in such good condition. The Frisco dieselized on February 29, 1952 when 2-8-2 #4018 completed a turn on the local freight between Birmingham, Alabama and Bessemer, Alabama. Other Frisco steam ran later than that in non-company service; but no St. Louis-San Francisco steam locomotive turned a revenue wheel for the company after 4018 arrived that night in Birmingham. Fortunately #4018 was preserved in a Birmingham park. And 56 years later, this old wooden water tank still stands as another monument to Frisco steam.

Les

Well now that is impressive! Looks like somebody has been taking good care of it.

As of my last trip through Beaumont, perhaps a year ago, the tank was still standing and is indeed an authentic SLSF water tank. Part of its' longevity and state of care is that it served several decades as the municipal water supply after the SLSF quit steam. Beaumont still holds an annual "Water Tower Festival" - here's a link to the 2007 event, I don't know about 2008. http://www.beaumontwatertower.com/
The BNSF former SLSF line through Beaumont has been abandoned and the rail taken up, except for a short section directly in front of the water tank.
Dan Rohrback
Valley Center, KS

This tank isn't unique, but it's getting close. En route to the RRPCA conference in St. Louis some years ago I came across an IC tank still standing and festooned with icicles in southwestern Illinois. I know some folks at IRM were aware of it, but I don't know its current status. There is a PM wooden tank on steel legs still in use for municipal water in western Michigan. A massive wood tank survived in the D&TSL Lang Yard north of Toledo until at least the late 1970's, but no attempt was made to preserve it.

Aarne -

Speaking of the tank in Michigan, some years ago I visited the Huckleberry Railroad when it was pretty new. I seem to recall a genuine wood water tank there near the depot, but leaking rather badly. Is that wood tank still in existance?

Les

How about Trout Lake, Colorado along the way-long-abandonded RGS grade not too awful far from Telluride and Lizard Head Pass?

http://www.jsharf.com/Photos/BoreasPass/watertank.jpg

Located approximately in the middle of this photo:

http://www.wunderground.com/data/wximagenew/d/dsfoto/451.jpg

It can be seen better in this shot:

http://drgw.free.fr/RGS/RGS-02-004_en.htm

Of course there are a number of tanks along D&S and C&T, many of which are still usable.

lusk, wy fremont elkhorn valley, x cnw, now UP

Two wooden tanks survive on the old C&O Greenbrier Branch. The one at Cass is used and maintained by the railroad. One at Marlington is along the rail trail just north of town and either maintained by the trail folks or the town. I am not sure which. To my knowlege Reading 2102 was the last steam locomotive to take water at the Marlington tank in the seventies.

John Bohon

There's also one sitting next to the old NP in Roy, WA, just south of Ft Lewis near Tacoma. The spout is gone but it's still there.
Couldn't find any photos online, though. I saw it less than an hour ago and I live pretty close by.

John -

The "old" tank at Cass is now the "new" tank at Cass.

2007 photo: http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=208746

Steve

Add Whippany, New Jersey ----

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=227689

This PRR tank still stands in Phelps, NY.
was on the PRR Elmira Branch to Sodus Bay.
tracks long gone, tank remains.



Scot

Aarne is speaking of the last surviving Pere Marquette Water Tank, located in Grant, Michigan. It was restored in the early 1980's, and is currently be evaluated for another restoration/ preservation. A couple of shot below:





I believe the Water tower at the Huck was relocated from elsewhere, although exactly where escapes me right now. I'm sure Paul or Marty could tell you.

There is actually three wood towers left in Michigan alone, if you count this one at the Henry Ford as well. The original "Ford" tower was from Michigan Central's shop in Detroit I believe, but was disassembled due to condition in the early 90's. The new one is a faithful replica though.



TJG

In addition to the "old" tank at Cass having been rebuilt, I am about 99% positive that the tank at Marlington no longer exists. Making the Cass tank the last on the old C&O Greenbrier line.

How about a new water tank? I humbly submit this photo of the 2000 gallon tank I built with in my little wood shop in 1999 for the 26'' gauge Shay Railway at Rough and Tumble Engineers Historical Association in eastern PA. It was based more or less on Reading Company standard water tank practice from 1913 Operating Dept. drawings. She stands 24 foot ground to pinnacle and the tank is 10 ft. in diameter.