Handbook of Railroad Construction; For the use of American engineers. / Containing the necessary rules, tables, and formulæ for the location, construction, equipment, and management of railroads, as built in the United States.

by George L. Vose

At way stations the freight and passenger houses, wood and water station, may all be combined; the plan and size depending upon the location and importance of the station. The relative position of the tank, wood shed, and passenger house should be such that when the tender is at the proper place for receiving its supplies the centre of a passenger train of ordinary length shall be at the passenger door.

OF THE WATER SUPPLY.

390. The number of engines leaving the terminus of a road determines the amount of water necessary at the principal stations; and the character of the road and of the traffic fixes the location and size of the way water stations. The amount of traffic being pretty equally distributed over the length of the road, the tanks should be placed at equal equated distances; thus the engines will need to water at closer points upon steep grades than upon level roads. Generally, however, the water is taken where it can be got, the location of streams and springs fixing the place. Steam, hydraulic, wind, human, or animal power may be employed to raise the water to the tank. Oftentimes high springs will fill the tanks without the application of artificial power. As we find the liquid water in nature it is more or less impregnated with vegetable, gaseous, and saline matter, which often impairs its fitness for mechanical purposes. These admixtures are derived from the rocks and ground over or through which the water flows. The incrustations which form in boilers are caused by the precipitation of the impurities in consequence of the concentration of water in the boiler. They may be effectually removed, no matter what their nature, by boiling charcoal in the water. If the water, previous to filtration, can be heated, to expel all the air and carbonic acid gas, which is often the solvent of the foreign matter, the filtering process will be accelerated, and will be more effectual. Rain water is more pure than any other; practically, perfectly so. River water comes next to it. Spring water is generally adulterated with basic salts in various forms, most of which may be precipitated by gently heating and filtering through charcoal.

391. Fig. 157 shows a convenient form for a tank house, with pump and heater.

Fig. 157.

A shows half interior section of the tank.

B, half elevation of tank.

C, pump; C′, supply pipe; d, suction pipe and strainer.

E, heater.