Pumping water for the railroad

[Wayne]

I think this may be the beat old photo of a windmill pumping for the railroad. I'm thinking Railroad Eclipse.

Chicago Rock Island & Pacific Ry passenger train in Lake Park, IA 1910..jpg

[PaulV]

That's a great photo Wayne!

[CTull]

Cool picture Wayne, thanks for sharing. Several years ago, I heard that after the railroad came through, towns popped up every 7 miles or so due to the old steam engines need for water. That makes me think there would have been many locations across the country where ground water was not available, the railroad would have drilled wells and set up these windmills for their water needs.

[Wayne]

A steam train could go 25-30 miles between water stops. A lot of the windmills weren't in towns, they were just water stops. While riding a rails to trails close to Caprock Canyon State Park close to Quitague Texas I came across where an old windmill had stood beside the railroad tracks. No signs that anything else was ever there. Your probably right that if there was water, people would come. Especially with the train stopping.

[CTull]

A steam train could go 25-30 miles between water stops.

That makes more sense. When I was told a steam engine needed to fill their water tank every 7 miles or so, I thought that sounded short, but who was I to argue. Thanks Wayne

[Wayne]

I love the old steam engines and have done a lot of reading about them. Thanks for the kind words. After reading about the windmills along the railroad it was pretty exciting when I found that spot where one had set. Nothing left but the concret where the legs were anchored and the six inch drop pipe. The spot is probably 20-25 miles from the nearest town.