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Water crane

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A water crane or standpipe is a device used for delivering a large volume of water into the tank or tender of a steam locomotive. As a steam locomotive consumes large quantities of water, water cranes were a vital part of railway station equipment, often situated at the end of a platform, so that water could be refilled during a stop at the station.

Water crane in Stützerbach, Germany
Water crane in Kladno, Czech Republic

Template:J consists in general of an upright steel pipe of large diameter with another flexible pipe connected to its upper end so as it forms a rotating arm, sometimes with a funnel. Such a device, usually supplied from a special water tower or reservoir owned by the railway company, was able to deliver from one up to Template:Convert/spell of water per minute.

See also