The British term for a long, shallow basin laid between the rails to allow steam locomotives to scoop up water while moving at speed. In North American railroading, this exact same facility was known as a track pan, allowing premier express trains to avoid time-consuming water stops.
Heard on the job
The old track profile shows a speed restriction right where the water trough used to sit between the mains.
Do not mix it up with
- Track pan: Water trough is the British term; track pan is the North American equivalent.