Water crane
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[1][2][3]. 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.
Template:J consists in general of an upright steel pipe of large diameter with a pivoting 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
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Water cranes.
- Water stop
- Track pan (US) (water trough (UK))
References
- ^ US patent 709376, John W. Thomas, Jr., "Stand-pipe for railway uses", issued 1902-09-16
- ^ US patent 847494, James F. Murphy, "Railway stand-pipe", issued 1907-03-19
- ^ US patent 958504, Patrick Henry Knight, "Stand-pipe for railway water-supply", issued 1910-05-17