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Water Column - A water
column is a hollow casting built to carry the sight glass and tri-cocks,
connected to the boiler both at the top and at the bottom. As long
as the pipes do not become plugged, gravity will ensure that the height
of the water in the column matches the height of the water in the
boiler, with allowance for the engine sitting out of level, or the
water sloshing around due to movement of the engine. Some boilers
built for service in Cana da were required to have shut-off valves
on the connecting pipes - these must be open for the sight glass and
tri-cocks to read correctly. It is provided with a drain cock that
should be opened every so often to prevent the buildup of sediment.
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