We’ve all heard of cow-tipping, but have you ever heard of water tank-tipping? It seems that the C&S had!
In 1915 the line from Parlins to Pitkin and was being operated by the Denver & Rio Grande. On March 19th, the general manager of the D&RG sent a letter to the VP of the C&S complaining that the “C&S tanks at Gunnison and Parlins are in bad condition and likely to fall down unless repaired.” The letter concludes by saying in so many words: we’re giving them back to you since we don’t use them!
The C&S VP, in response, suggested the following approach: “I would like to ask if you could arrange...to have them jacked up and tipped over clear of the track in order to eliminate the danger of their falling and causing further damage. I believe the material in same is not worth saving.”
Can you imagine the creak, groan, and crash of a tipped water tank? While it’s not clear how they actually went about it, the C&S sent payment to the D&RG “for tearing down C&S tank at Gunnison.” The cost of this activity? $17.03.Source: Daniel W. Edwards. A Documentary History of the South Park Line: Vol. 5. The Gunnison District, Part II, 2016. pp. 164-165
Photos: Midway Tank (above) from The Narrow Gauge Circle.
Hancock Tank (left) from "286 best Railroad water tanks."
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