Water troughs for steam engines

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allanroy
Posts: 286
Joined: 04 Jan 2009, 21:02
Location: Simon's Town

Water troughs for steam engines

Post by allanroy »

On the page http://mikes.railhistory.railfan.net/r078.htmlcalled driving a locomotive there is a photo of water troughs in the middle of the tracks that are 18 in. wide and 6 in. deep, and usually extend for a quarter of a mile. The steam engine would lower a scoop under the tender and scoop up water.

Was this ever successful? or just a experiment.
Ian Roberts
Posts: 196
Joined: 24 Feb 2009, 16:42
Location: Sugar Land Texas

Re: Water troughs for steam engines

Post by Ian Roberts »

Very succesful in UK where all major railways except the Southern Railway used them.
Their use is why the LNER could run non-stop London to Edinburgh ( 400miles) with only a 5000 gallon tender
Also found in northern France and on a few lines in the North East United States.
There should be some good videos on You-Tube and similar sites as the operation can be quite spectacular.
Not having to haul a lot of water around could get you a couple of extra coaches on a long trip.
Ian
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