On another forum, there’s a thread where a fellow asked for photos of locomotive filling standpipes… from which the various types have come forward in photos, etc.
One popular type of standpipe has what looks like a cast bell (like a locomotive bell) at the top of the vertical component …
Anyone know why?
Not an expert opinion but I think it serves two purposes, one it tends to shed water away from the mechanism and two and most important it provides the weight needed to close the valve when the operating lever is released. Yes I know there is usually a ring weight in addition to help with that function but depending on the water pressure involved it takes a lot of weight !
I do believe that the “Ring weights” which Gary refers to were to counterbalance the spout, in order to make it easier to lift and lower. The “Bell” was as Gary described; part of the valve mechanisim which turned the water on and off.
If anyone wants to really find out how these “Standpipes” worked; all they have to do is a bit of research in the files of Model Railroad magazine. There were drawings of them in back issues.
Too many poeople in “Large Scale”, refuse to realise the resourses that Model Railroader provides for all scales, not just the smaller ones.
It might be noted that “Rail King” by Mikey’s Train House, sells a fine “Water Column” in what they describe as “O” scale. In actual fact the thing is a bit short in height, but for our purposes could pass for a LS standpipe. The Spout seems to be just about dead on, although I haven’t used a measuring device on it.
The Item number is: 30-11007. The last one I bought, cost me $17.95 Canadian.
It looks good feeding water into the tank on a LS Annie, and passes OK beside a Connie …of course I’ve mounted it on a block of wood to give it additional height. The spout reaches out 3 1/4 inches from the column.
I hope this helps someone somewhere.