A vertical pipe with a swiveling horizontal spout used to deliver large volumes of water into the tender of a steam locomotive. Positioned alongside the mainline or at station platforms, it allowed crews to refill their water supply quickly without needing to spot the engine directly under a massive, fixed water tank.
Heard on the job
Spot the tender right on the mark so the fireman can swing the water column over without us having to move again.
Also heard as
- standpipe
- water crane