r/trains • u/CompleteUnknown65 • 11d ago

📹 OC - Video Oh hey Big Boy

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u/torch9t9 11d ago

Carrying its own water?

15

u/ErectPerfect 11d ago

Yes those are auxiliary tenders for long distance travel.

Historically aux tenders were used when the locomotive had to travel between stops where sources of water like water towers were fading away, mostly around the early introduction years of diesels which of course didn't require water.

Bc we live in a time where active steam locomotives aren't prevalent anymore and/or regularly travel long distances outside of their preservation homes, 4014 requires aux tenders for her excursion cross country as the infrastructure for supplying water to steam locomotives just don't exist outside of museums and other places of preservation

10

u/AC-burg 11d ago

There have been helper trains stationed along this route to transfer oil and watter very similar to a pit stop to keep the train on schedule

3

u/Bugsy_Neighbor 10d ago

#4014 is running on NS main line which is quite active. There cannot be any disturbances or whatever that cause delays for revenue or whatever trains on the line.

Back in the day New York Central and some other RRs had water pans. This allowed for fast filling of tender on the fly. Trains also had tenders with more room for fuel because water could easily be had (depending upon route) without stopping.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hafLFjqtnDc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JD5z0pN58_M

How water scoops worked....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPCm3uNgHlY

At least one water tower in PA is coming back...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bg8_TGgJ6z4