The water tank came from Ophir and was used on the Colorado, Rio Grande, and Southern Railroad Line during the late 1800s. These water tanks, or water towers as they were sometimes called, were spread out along the rail lines to fill the boilers of the steam engines. A long spout hangs down from the tank to get the water to the engine boiler. Imagine the hardships of those early-day railroaders! The cold winter winds blowing in snowdrifts were sometimes higher than the engine. There was an ever-present danger of losing control on a high curve or freezing if the train stalled in a winter storm. The imaginary sound of a distant train whistle captivates the mind. It can be faintly heard on a clear, crisp night if one is very quiet. History restates, "this was the time of, Big Mountains - Little Engines."
