WATER FOR EXPRESS TRAINS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1998, 23 January 1890, Page 1

WATER FOR EXPRESS TRAINS.

One of the most ingenious of modern railway inventions is that which allows the engine of a fast express to pick up water without stopping, from water troughs constructed between the rails. The driver lowers the scoop down from the tender between the rails ; the fireman stands ready to turn on the tap into the water lank ; we hear a hollow sound as the- irou of the trough rings beneath cur feet, then a. rush of water ; ten seconds more the water is splashing up against tho top of the tank, the tap is turned off even more hastily than it was turned on, the Bcoop is drawn up, and we are speeding on our way with the water troughs lying far behind us. firpmandoes weM to be promnt; cases have been known where be hp.s neglected or failed to lift up the scoop in time, and the water has overflowed the tank, flooded the tender, set pick and shovels and coals ail afloat, surging up against the fire-box door, and gone urar to putting the fire out altogether. A; th» points where the troughs and terminate the line rises slightly. Bv this means the water is prevented from running out of the troughs, which cannot have ordinary ends lest the scoop should strike against them, and thp scoop is automatically pushed np and the pipe closed, if the driver fails to lift it before the engiue reaches the end of the trough.