This was a typical track pan installation on the New York Central.  Because there are four tracks, it s probably in Indiana, Ohio or New York.  NYC's track pans in Michigan and Canada were generally two tracks.  In Michigan, track pans were located at Four Mile Lake (east of Chelsea), Marshall, Lawton, and Avery (near Three Oaks).  There was apparently an experimental track pan at Dexter which was moved to Four Mile Lake.  Track pans allowed locomotive tenders to scoop conditioned water into the tender "on the fly".  As a result, more tender space could be devoted to coal.  (Coal towers on the MC/NYC mainline were located at Augusta and Michigan City.)  Track pans had to be located at a water source, and buildings were built on site for pumping stations and for steam boilers (which maintained water temperature above freezing in the winter months).  Sidings were common for coal delivery.  In addition to the pans, this location had standpipes for filling stationary locomotive tenders (without scoops).  Also noted are mid-level signal lights which instructed the fireman when to lower and raise the scoop.  [Jim Tarbell photo, Doug Leffler collection.]