It was any details about the design of a roof or covering for the water I was interested in.
There is a photo on page 34 of Midland Record that shows an unusual addition to water tanks - a series of horizontal metal beams across the width of a standard water tank. I am hoping there is a second photo that shows what those beams would be supporting.
However during my searching for other information I have come across three photos of Hellifield Station, one about 1900-1910, the second during the 1930's and a third in the 1960's. In the background is the engine shed and its water tank. At first there is an arched roof, later a gable ended pitched roof and finally no roof at all to the water tank. So far I have not found photos of any other water tanks with roofs. But as the Hellifield water tank is in the background details are not visible, though it appears the 1930's version could be made of corrugated iron sheets.
This just leaves me more questions, was this a rareity, what caused the design to change and finally was the tank out of use and quite derelict by 1960? It could be the roof cover was a Victorian concept that gradually faded away or it maybe the climate at Hellifield necessitated frost prevention that was not necessary in many other places?
It leaves me more mystified.
Wonkychops