STEAM LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEMAN’S. Manual - part 6

Chapter 3: - Lighting up Locomotives 

 
 

 

CHAPTER 3 

 
 

LIGHT UP 

LOCOMOTIVES 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Chapter 3: - Lighting up Locomotives 

 

 

CHAPTER 3: - 

LIGHTING UP ENGINES 

 
 

 

Page No. 

 

3.1 

Test Water Level in Boiler 

 

3 

3.2 

Examine Firebox and Ashpan 

 

3 

3.3 

Checks Before Light up 

 

4 

3.4 

Lighting up 

 

4 

3.5 

Light up Check List 

 

5 

3.6 

Engine Equipment 

 

5 

3.7 

Filling of Hydrostatic Lubricator 

 

5 

3.8 

Remove Water from Axle Boxes 

 

6 

3.9 

Westinghouse Brake Pump 

 

6 

3.10 

Oiling of Engine 

 

6 

3.11 

Blowing Down Boilers 

 

7 

3.12 

Cylinders to be Warmed 

 

7 

Chapter 3: - Lighting up Locomotives 

 

 

CHAPTER 3 
 

LIGHT-UP LOCOMOTIVES 

 

 

3.1 

TEST WATER LEVEL IN BOILER 

 
 

The most important duty to perform before placing a fire in a 
locomotive is to test the water level in the boiler and to make 
sure that there is ample water to cover the crown sheet of 
the firebox. 

 

 

 

The gauge glass should show at least two inches of 
water. 

 
 

Both water gauges are to be tested by opening and closing 
the Drain Cock.  If the water returns smartly to both glasses 
it will indicate that the water level is showing true in the 
gauge glass.  If the water does not return to the glass, it 
indicates that the boiler is empty and the boiler must be filled 
before lighting a fire in the firebox. 

 
 

Refer to FIGURE 3a - b in Annex A. 

 
 

If it is noted that the water returns to one glass but fails to 
return to the other glass, or returns slowly, it indicates that 
the water passage to this gauge is either partly or wholly 
blocked up and requires freeing.   

 
 

To free the passage, first remove the nut on the bottom 
standard of the water gauge column and withdraw the ball 
valve which is situated at the base of the column; then clear 
the passage into the boiler with an ‘L’ shaped wire, until a 
free flow of water is assured.  The ball valve and  nut are 
then replaced and the water again tested. 

 
3.2 

EXAMINE FIREBOX AND ASHPAN 

 
 

When satisfied that there is ample water in the boiler, 
examine the firebox to see that everything is in order.  First 
inspect the lead plugs to see that they are not leaking.  
These plugs are situated on the Centre Line of Crown Sheet, 
one at each end, about one foot from the tube plate and the 
back plate.   

 
 

 

Chapter 3: - Lighting up Locomotives 

 

 

  

Note that no water is escaping from tube plates or stays, that 
the brick arch is in good order, the baffle place and ring are 
in position, and firebox is free of clinkers and ash, and that 
the Firebars work freely and are in the correct position and 
the locking pin is in the operating lever. 

 

 

 

It is good practice before lighting up to rock the firebars to 
ensure that  nothing is fouling them; also to feel below the 
firehole with a bent pricker to ensure that the back is not 
made up with clinkers. 

 
 

After the examination of the firebox has been completed, 
carry out an examination of the Ashpan and dampers.  If the 
Ashpan is filled with ash or clinkers, it should be emptied, as 
the draught to the fire will be impeded and the firebars will be 
in danger of being burnt. 

 

 

 

Should the dampers be defective it will mean that, when on 
the road, the regulation of the draught through the campers 
cannot satisfactorily be achieved.  In the case of the PB15 
engine, particular care should be taken to ensure that the 
bridge between the front and back Ashpans is clear. 

 
3.3 

CHECKS BEFORE LIGHT-UP 

 
 

The following additional checks are to be made before 
lighting up: 

 

•

 

Blow-down cock, scum cock and ash ejector cocks 
are to be closed. 

•

 

Smoke box door and other openings are to be closed. 

•

 

Cylinder drain cocks are to be open. 

•

 

Regulator is to be shut. 

•

 

Reversing lever is to be in the centre position. 

•

 

Hand brake is to be applied. 

•

 

All cocks from the main steam mount are to be 
closed. 

•

 

Tender is to have sufficient water. 

 
3.4 

LIGHTING-UP 

 
 

Steam and water cocks on water columns must always be 
left open and the protector glass must be in place on the 
water gauge columns before the boiler is lit up. 

 
 

Having taken all the above precautions, the engine is now 
ready for lighting up.  First have a supply of wood on the 
footplate.  Place a few light shovel fulls of rubble coal along 
the sides of the firebox, leaving the  centre of the grate clear.