This is a typical standpipe (also called water crane, water column, or water plug) used to fill steam locomotive tenders with water, which is supplied by pipe from a tank. A single tank might supply several standpipes. When not in use, they were swung away from the track. The bucket-like object between the end of the pipe and top of the tender is a funnel to direct the water into the tender tank opening. Linn H. Westcott photo
Water cranes were indeed one of the most distinctive symbols of the steam traction era in all railroad countries…