Water Crane
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A water crane is a device used for delivering a large volume of
water Water is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula . It is a transparent, tasteless, odorless, and Color of water, nearly colorless chemical substance. It is the main constituent of Earth's hydrosphere and the fluids of all known liv ...
into the
tank A tank is an armoured fighting vehicle intended as a primary offensive weapon in front-line ground combat. Tank designs are a balance of heavy firepower, strong armour, and battlefield mobility provided by tracks and a powerful engine; ...
or tender of a
steam locomotive A steam locomotive is a locomotive that provides the force to move itself and other vehicles by means of the expansion of steam. It is fuelled by burning combustible material (usually coal, Fuel oil, oil or, rarely, Wood fuel, wood) to heat ...
. The device is also called a water column in the United States and Australia. As a steam locomotive consumes large quantities of water, water cranes were a vital part of
railway station Rail transport (also known as train transport) is a means of transport using wheeled vehicles running in railway track, tracks, which usually consist of two parallel steel railway track, rails. Rail transport is one of the two primary means of ...
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 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. Water cranes may be able to deliver up to of water per minute.


Water supply

In hilly country, natural streams can be dammed and water fed by gravity to the water crane. 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 to greater than . In some cases a well may be used to supply the water to the tank. Depending on the quality of the water under supply, it may need to be treated chemically to eliminate
hardness In materials science, hardness (antonym: softness) is a measure of the resistance to plastic deformation, such as an indentation (over an area) or a scratch (linear), induced mechanically either by Pressing (metalworking), pressing or abrasion ...
which induces scale buildup on the inside of the
locomotive boiler A fire-tube boiler is a type of boiler invented in 1828 by Marc Seguin, Marc Seguin, in which hot gases pass from a fire through one or more tubes running through a sealed container of water. The heat of the gases is transferred through the walls ...
. The scale which builds up on heat transfer surfaces forms a layer of insulation between the metal of the firebox and the boiler water. This causes metal to overheat or corrode and eventually fail.


See also

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Water stop A water stop or water station on a railroad is a place where steam trains stop to replenish water. The stopping of the train itself is also referred to as a "water stop". The term originates from the times of steam engines when large amounts ...
*
Track pan A water trough (British terminology), or track pan ( American terminology), is a device to enable a steam locomotive to replenish its water supply while in motion. It consists of a long trough filled with water, lying between the rails. When a s ...
(US) (water trough (UK))


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Water Crane Railway buildings and structures Steam locomotive technologies