STEAM LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEMAN’S. Manual - part 8

Chapter 4: - Attending Fires 

 

 

CHAPTER 4: - 

ATTENDING FIRES 

 
 

 

Page No. 

 

4.1 

Water Level in Boiler to be Checked 

 

3 

4.2 

Boiler not Steaming Freely  

 

4 

4.3 

Ashpans to be Cleaned 

 

4 

4.4 

Use of Dampers and Blower 

 

4 

4.5 

Boilers Blowing off 

 

4 

4.6 

Cabs to be Kept Clean 

 

4 

4.7 

Operation of Injectors 

 

5 

4.8 

Banking of Fires 

 

5 

4.9 

Moving an Engine After Lighting up 

 

5 

4.10 

Moving Dead Steam Locomotives 

 

5 

Chapter 4: - Attending Fires 

 

 

CHAPTER 4 
 

ATTENDING FIRES 

 
 

4.1 

WATER LEVEL IN BOILERS TO BE CHECKED 

 
 

Members attending fires and boilers in steam will safeguard 
all boilers by satisfying themselves that there is not less than 
half a glass of water  registering in both gauge glasses of 
boilers. 

 
 

On taking charge they must test both water gauge columns 
on each boiler and assure themselves that the columns are 
registering correctly.  On opening the test cocks a good blow 
through from steam and water passages should occur.  On 
closing the test cocks, the water should rise smartly into the 
glasses and both columns must register the correct water 
levels. 

 
 

If it is found that the water rises smartly in one glass and 
slowly or not at all in the other, it indicates that the water 
passage to the latter is made up or the water cock partly or 
wholly closed.   

 
 

If it is found that the water returns smartly in one glass and, 
in the other glass, it rises out of sight, this indicates that the 
steam passage to the latter is blocked or that the steam cock 
is partly or wholly closed.  The glass would then be 
registering a false level and this fact must immediately be 
drawn to the attention of the Locomotive and Rollingstock 
Maintenance Supervisor. 

 
 

It is therefore essential to note at all times that the water and 
steam passages are clear and in the full open position on all 
boilers.  If there is any doubt as to the accuracy of the water 
levels in the gauge glass columns, an independent test 
should be made of each passage.   

 
 

To test the steam passage, close both steam and water 
cocks, open the test cock and then open the steam passage.  
A good blow of dry steam should come from the open test 
cock, and if not, the passage must be cleared.   

 
 

 

Chapter 4: - Attending Fires 

 

 

  

To test the water passage, see that the steam cock is closed 
and then open the test cock and the water cock.  If not, this 
passage must be cleared by removing the front plug and the 
ball check valve and proving the passage with a wire rod. 

 
 

Do not stand in front of the column while clearing the 
passage. 

 

 

 

When testing the passages to the gauge glass, if the test 
cock cannot be closed, close the steam and water cocks, 
and the test cock can then, safely, be given attention.  On no 
account hit the test cock with a hammer or spanner.  If 
everything is not in order or the boiler is likely to be slow in 
raising steam, the person in charge should be notified. 

 
4.2 

BOILER NOT STEAMING FREELY 

 
 

If a boiler does not make steam reasonably freely, it can, in 
many instances, be attributed to a bad fire, closed dampers 
or blocked screens in the smoke box.  The screens should 
be bumped with a jigger bar through the cap on the side of 
the smoke box, only sufficient to dislodge cinders. 

 
4.3 

ASHPANS TO BE CLEANED 

 
 

Ash and cinders should be cleaned from  Ashpans before 
locomotives leave Box Flat Depot.  Ash is not to be dropped 
on the Box Flat to Swanbank section. 

 
4.4 

USE OF DAMPERS AND BLOWER 

 
 

To avoid boilers making steam to freely, close dampers. 

 
 

The use of the blower should be avoided as much as 
possible unless a bright fire is maintained. 

 
4.5 

BOILERS BLOWING OFF 

 
 

Boilers should not be allowed to blow off at safety valves in 
the shed or at any time. 

 
4.6 

CABS TO BE KEPT CLEAN 

 
 

Water gauge glasses and their protectors and boiler front 
must be kept clean.  Coal must be picked up from footboards 
and put on tender. 

 

Chapter 4: - Attending Fires 

 

 

4.7 

OPERATION OF INJECTORS 

 
 

Members attending boilers, should at all times before 
operating the injectors, make certain that no person is under 
or near the injector overflow pipe, where they may be 
scalded by steam or hot water. 

 
4.8 

BANKING OF FIRES 

 
 

If a locomotive is to be retained in steam for a period of time 
between use the fire may be banked at the tube plate end of 
the firebox, under the brick arch. 

 
4.9 

MOVING AN ENGINE AFTER LIGHTING-UP 

 
 

An engine must not be moved until all water has been 
displaced from the cylinders.  To do this, a check is made to 
ensure cylinder drain cocks are open and that water is not 
excessively high in the boiler.   

 
 

With the brake hard on and the reversing lever in mid 
position, the regulator is opened for a few seconds.  The 
regulator is then, closed and the reversing lever moved to 
the full forward position and full reverse position.  This will 
force all water in each end of the cylinder to drain through 
the cylinder cocks. 

 
 

The above procedure should be repeated if necessary, and 
then the locomotive should be moved slowly to allow any 
remaining water to be discharged. 

 
4.10 

MOVING DEAD STEAM LOCOMOTIVES 

 
 

Moving ‘dead’ steam locomotives should be avoided as 
much as possible. Before a ‘dead’ locomotive is moved, the 
cylinder drain cocks must be open.  Lubrication of the 
cylinders is to be provided when possible.  The ‘dead’ 
locomotive is to be moved slowly to allow time for any water 
in the cylinders to be discharged.