The large steel water tank west of the San Jose Market
Street station was a prominent feature of photographs and
the Sanborn maps. (Because they were originally designed
for fire insurance underwriters, fire protection details
were much more important than shape of buildings or
locations of tracks). The tank resembles the one currently
near Diridon station. Either both were built from standard
Southern Pacific plans, or perhaps the tank was moved when
the Market Street station and yard were shut down.
This SP-style water tank was built to match the water tank
at San Jose's Market Street station. The tank is a Rix
Products 24 foot diameter tank (with only three of the four
courses used); the girders are Central Valley bridge
girders. The tank floor and supports is styrene sheet,
strip, and I-beams.
