 As a steam locomotive consumes large quantities of water, water cranes were a vital part of railway station equipment, often situated at the end of a platform, so that water could be refilled during a stop at the station.Generally, water cranes consist of an upright steel pipe about in diameter with a horizontal, pivoting pipe connected to its upper end so as to form a swinging arm.The swinging arm is usually designed to rest parallel to the rails when not in use.