Water crane explained

A water crane is a device used for delivering a large volume of water into the tank or tender of a steam locomotive.[1] [2] [3] The device is also called a water column in the United States and Australia.[4] 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.

Overview

Generally, water cranes consist of an upright steel pipe about 8inchesto12inchesin (toin) in diameter with a horizontal, pivoting pipe connected to its upper end so as to form a swinging arm. The swinging arm is usually designed to rest parallel to the rails when not in use.[5] Water cranes may be able to deliver up to 10abbr=noneNaNabbr=none of water per minute.

Water supply

In hilly country, natural streams can be dammed and water fed by gravity to the water crane.[6] In flatter country this arrangement is not always possible, so water may be supplied by a tank next to the crane. Water tanks may vary in volume from 190m2 to greater than 757m2. In some cases a well may be used to supply the water to the tank.[7]

Depending on the quality of the water under supply, it may need to be treated chemically to eliminate hardness which induces scale buildup on the inside of the locomotive boiler.[8] The scale which builds up on heat transfer surfaces forms a layer of insulation between the metal of the firebox and the boiler water.[9] This causes metal to overheat or corrode and eventually fail.

See also

Notes and References

  1. US. 709376. Stand-pipe for railway uses. John W. Thomas, Jr.. patent. 1902-09-16.
  2. US. 847494. Railway stand-pipe. James F. Murphy. patent. 1907-03-19.
  3. US. 958504. Stand-pipe for railway water-supply. Patrick Henry Knight. patent. 1910-05-17.
  4. Railway and Locomotive Historical Society, Marietta, GA (2008). "The Railroad Station Water Column." Railway and Locomotive Historical Society Quarterly, Vol. 28, No. 4 - Vol. 29, No 1. p.6.
  5. Book: Webb, Walter Loring. Railroad Construction, Theory and Practice. 1917. 376–377. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York, New York. 6th.
  6. Book: Cleemann, Thomas M.. The Railroad Engineer's Practice. 1880. George H. Frost, Publisher. New York, New York. 71–73. 70728043.
  7. Guppy. B. W.. A Technical Description of the British Light Railways in France. Professional Memoirs of the Corps of Engineers, United States Army, and the Engineer Department at Large. January–December 1919. 11. 185–216.
  8. Book: Tratman, Edward Ernest Russell. Railway Track and Track Work. 1901. Engineering News Publishing Company. New York, New York. 2nd. Chapter 11. Water and Coaling Stations and Other Track Accessories. 2030207.
  9. Wrinn. Jim. Jim Wrinn. What's in the water?. Trains. January 2012. 64. Kalmbach Publishing Company. Waukesha, Wisconsin. 0041-0934. 1642109.