Update: ATSF in Williams, Arizona Part III: The Locomotive Service Facility

 

Update:  ATSF in Williams, Arizona Part III: The Locomotive Service Facility

 I have just posted the Six-Part study on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe in Williams Arizona. The order of the parts is slightly out of order, due to the limitations of using a Blog. Please read in sequence, it will help make the project more meaningful.

In Part III of my series on the Santa Fe facilities in Williams, Arizona, I mentioned the unusual tank used to store fuel oil. On a recent visit to a California museum, I found a similar tank dating back to the same time period, and having the same features as the one in Williams. I will eventually incorporate this information in part III.

The following images were taken at Laws Railroad Museum, California. Although the structures were built to service a narrow-gauge railroad (Carson and Colorado) the facility followed a common layout: 

a storage tank for fuel oil; a fuel stand for servicing the locomotive tender; and a water tower with a spout or water stand. 

 

Image: Laws Railroad Museum, California. Author's Image

Image: Laws Railroad Museum, California. Author's Image

The fuel tank. The tank was often raised above the height of the locomotive to aide in the flow of the thick oil into the tender. The Williams facility had a steam line which heated the oil. As mentioned in the text, the Williams tank had an unusual design, the ends being conical in shape. After visiting the museum, it is apparent that this was a more common feature than first thought. The tank appears to have been constructed with iron sheets riveted together. The conical feature provided the tank additional structural support, versus a flat end. This design was probably patented and was manufactured by a one of the major railroad suppliers of the day.

Image: Laws Railroad Museum, California. Author's Image

The fuel stand was located next to the tank. The raised tank and a pump provided pressure to flow the oil through the nozzle. The water tower was typical for steam era railroads. They were elevated to provide pressure by gravity for the water to flow to the tender. A pump would refill the water tank. The spout would be lowered, and a valve would be opened to allow water to flow. This particular water tower is rather interesting; it is supported by what can only be described as a spindly set of steel legs. Usually, a more robust structure was used, since water is very heavy in nature. 

 At the 1915 Williams site, ground level tanks were provided, and water appears to have been distributed via water stands to the service tracks. The water stands would be similar in appearance to the fuel stand in this image. An earlier water tower, which was south of the Frey Marcos, is not shown in the 1915 track plan.