GWR Route: Banbury to Wolverhampton

GWR Route: North Warwickshire Line

Birmingham Snow Hill Station: gwrbsh1191

View of the two water cranes located at the Southern end of Platforms 7 and 12 which have been secured by chains for safety. Steam locomotives required considerable amounts of coal and water and whereas their tenders would normally carry enough coal for a day's work the water capacity was too limited. Water columns would be located at strategic intervals particularly at stations where trains might be expected to stop slightly longer than for just dropping off or picking up passengers. The GWR provided water cranes at Snow Hill station, so described because their horizontal arm would be swung 90° from its secured position to above the tender. They were operated by the large horizontal levers on the left and the chutes on the right were to collect the excess water that would drip after use.

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