I am an airline pilot. The spacing of the towns is very easy to see when flying over the center of the country at night.

A good example of water stops every 30 miles, can be found along the western reaches of the former Rock Island mainline in Colorado. Colorado Springs was at the west end. Calhan had a huge 50k gallon tank. Limon had a large tank as well. Another could be found in Flagler, Burlington, then Goodland, KS, and points further east.

Actually, the vents for tenders with water scoops were in the rear corners of the tank tops. Railroaders referred to tenders as "tanks," with "coal bunkers" or fuel tanks at the front end. The vents were added to the tenders after several of them exploded at the seams due to the speed and volume of the water intake. And yes, photos of passenger locomotives taking on water from track pans show a huge cloud of water droplets exploding at and around the back ends of the tenders, as well as the front and sides of the first car in the train! Thoroughly soaked hobo, anyone? Another informative video. Thanks, and keep 'em comin', please! Be safe, everyone.

Learned a lot today as i do on many shows . Many thanks !!! . From Canada !!

The hobos used to get frozen to the cars when they ran through these water pans.

Thought the towns were about 6-10 miles apart because of steam trains.

Jerk water towns. So small the train didn't stop