Mysore/Mysuru: With a view to add value to the Rail Museum, the South Western Railway (SWR) has restored a steam-era water column to its full functional order. Many Railway Stations during the steam-era had a water column for filling water into the water tank in the tender trailing the steam locomotive, which also had an enclosure for the fuel for locomotive, such as coal, wood or oil.
Water was one of the most important elements used by a steam locomotive. When heated, the water turns to an invisible vapour known as steam. The volume of water expands as it turns into steam inside the boiler of the locomotive, thereby creating high pressure. The expansion of steam pushes the pistons connected to the driving wheels, thus operating the locomotive.
