Steam Trains Used To Refuel At 80 MPH — Why Did This Technology Vanish?

Описание: The "Track Pan" was a 2,000-foot-long water trough that sat between the rails, allowing steam trains to refuel without stopping. By dropping a scoop at 80 MPH, a locomotive could force 5,000 gallons of water into its tank in just 20 seconds—a violent, high-speed magic trick that allowed the famous "20th Century Limited" to race across America.

But this speed came at a price. The massive spray destroyed roadbeds, froze solid in winter, and turned track maintenance into a nightmare.

This is the story of the brilliant, messy, and dangerous technology that defined the "Speed Wars" of the steam era—and why the diesel engine killed it overnight.

👇 The Verdict: Was the "water scoop" a stroke of genius or a maintenance disaster? Let us know in the comments.

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