For successful track pan operation, several conditions have to be met:
The NYC paralleled rivers (Hudson, Mohawk...) in an area where hard freezes seldom happen. The pans would fill a couple of dozen tenders in the course of a day. Here in the dessicated desert the sun and non-existent humidity would suck far more water out of a track pan than would passing trains - and that would be treated water.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - in Southern Nevada)
The Central's Canada Southern had pans at Waterford, in southern Ontario.
Wayne
Water troughs / track pans were fairly common in Great Britain, but only a few railroads in the US used them. New York Central as noted was the best known one; not sure if anyone outside the northeast quarter of the US used them?
Thanks gentlemen. Good info. Don't know how I didn't see references to this, but not very informed on steam
There's a discussion about track water pans HERE.
These links will do a far better job explaining than my rambling attempt.....
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Track_pan
https://nycshs.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/trackplans2.pdf
Cheers, the Bear.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
I recently saw a picture of a steam locomotive taking on water, at speed, presumably from some sort of trough between the rails.
This is a new one on me, who would enjoy explaining the process?