STEAM LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEMAN’S. Manual - part 17

Chapter 9: - Engine Failures and Defects 

 

 

  

The regulator is then opened, and if steam blows from the 
front or back cylinder cock or blows up the chimney it 
indicates that the valve on that side is defective.  The 
reversing lever is then placed in fore gear to open the front 
steam port.  If steam issues from the back cylinder cock it 
indicates that the piston rings are defective.  The same test 
is the n carried out on the opposite side. 

 
 

If at any time it is desired to know which port is open when 
the reversing lever is in a certain position, it is only 
necessary to note the position of the crank pins, e.g. if the 
big end is on the top quarter and it is desired to move the 
engine forward, the lever is put forward and it is known that 
under steam the wheels would go forward and the crank pin 
and piston would go forward. 

 
 

For this to occur, the back steam port would necessarily 
have to be open, admitting steam into the back end of the 
cylinder behind the piston head.  If the reversing lever is 
placed in back gear the wheels will go backward and the 
crank will move back also. 

 
 

This would necessarily be caused by steam entering the 
front port to the front  end of the cylinder and acting on the 
piston, forcing it back.  This action takes place irrespective of 
the type of valve gear. 

 
 

In other words, by noting the direction in which the crank pin 
is required to travel to turn the wheel, it will be seen that the 
piston will move in the same direction.  The side of the piston 
on which the steam is acting to give it the necessary 
movement indicates which port is admitting steam to the 
required end of the cylinder. 

 
9.2 

TESTING FOR KNOCKS AND POUNDS 

 
 

The engine is set with the crank on the bottom quarter, the 
Westinghouse brake and hand brake are applied and the 
cylinder cocks opened.  The Firemen is then instructed to 
open the regulator slightly and then move the reversing lever 
from full fore gear to full back gear. 

 
 

By close observation any lost motion in the big ends or small 
ends, the crosshead in the guide bars, or in the eccentric 
arm or valve motion can be noted.  To test the engine axle 
boxes, and also for coupling rod bush knocks, it is necessary 
to release the Westinghouse brake off the engine only.  

Chapter 9: - Engine Failures and Defects 

 

 

  

The Fireman is instructed to again chug the engine as 
before, and further observation will reveal any lost motion of 
journals in the axle boxes or of the axle boxes in the framing, 
and will also reveal any worn coupling rod bushes. 

 
 

The same procedure must be adopted on both sides of the 
engine.  In this manner, defects can be localized and the 
correct entry can be place din the repair book. 

 
9.3 

TESTING FOR LOOSE PISTON HEADS. 

 
 

The Fireman is instructed to chug the engine, as in the 
previous test.  By placing one end of a packing drawer on 
the piston rod and holding the other end to the ear, a sound 
effect will be obtained, this effect will indicate whether or not 
the piston head is loose on the rod. 

 
9.4 

WHAT TO DO IN CASES OF EMERGENCY 

 
 

When a serious accident or breakdown occurs, the first and 
most important duty to perform is to provide for the safety of 
the public.  This is done in accordance with the procedures 
outlined in the Operation’s Manual. 

 
 

The boiler  must also be protected and any assistance 
deemed to be necessary must be immediately obtained.  If 
the engine has to be uncoupled, all parts removed most be 
secured firmly in position on the engine. 

 
 

It should never be attempted to uncouple a connecting rod at 
the big or small end until it has been proved beyond all doubt 
that here is no steam in the cylinder. 

 
 

The reversing gear must always be in a position such that 
the valve will close both steam ports and the cylinder cocks 
must be fully opened or removed.  The lubricator must be 
shut off and the brakes fully applied. 

 
 

PB 15 Eccentric Rods are not to be removed.  The Main 
Connecting Rod, plus the Valve Rod from the Transfer Shaft 
to the Valve Stem, is only to be removed.  The Pistons must 
also be Block forward. 

 
9.5 

HAULAGE OF DISABLED LOCOMOTIVES 

 
 

When any defect renders it necessary for an engine to be 
hauled ‘dead’ both connecting rods and eccentric rods must 
be removed and where possible, coupling rods must be left 
on. 

Chapter 9: - Engine Failures and Defects 

 

 

 

The usual precautions of securing the crosshead in the 
forward position, and making the engine safe to be hauled, 
must be complied with. 

 
 

In cases where an engine is defective on one side, 
necessitating the removal of the connecting rod on the 
defective side, all coupling rods must remain on the engine, 
unless the defects is such that it does not allow this. 

 
9.6 

BROKEN TENDER DRAW HOOK 

 
 

If the hook is broken, use the “D” link out of the van 
equipment to connect the hole in the draw bar to the 
coupling.  It may be necessary to ease out the draw bar by 
slackening the large draw bar nut, to get sufficient clearance 
to fit the “D” link into position.   

 
 

If so, this draw bar must retightened up after the link is 
placed into position.  If the shank is broken, the whole unit 
will have to be removed and replaced with the unit from the 
front of the engine. 

 
9.7 

BENT COWCATCHER 

 
 

Place a sleeper across both rails, and place another sleeper 
between the rails with one end supported on the cross 
sleeper and the other end under the cowcatcher. 

 
 

Then move  the engine slowly forward, upon doing this the 
point of the cowcatcher will ride on the inclined sleeper and 
the cowcatcher will be raised to its normal position. 

 
 

A few heavy hammer blows on the front of he bent portion, 
while the strain is still on the  cowcatcher, will straighten it 
sufficiently to give it clearance to work home. 

 
9.8 

BROKEN GAUGE GLASS 

 
 

When preparing to put in a gauge glass, first open the trail 
cock and leave it open until the glass is in, and take off the 
water column top plug, packing nuts and bushes. 

 
 

Withdraw the old packing and make sure the stuffing box 
and bushes are quite clean.  A covering should be placed 
over the lower portion of the column while the old packing is 
being cleaned out of the top portion.  The steam and water 
cocks should be opened to blow out any packing or dirt, 
which might block the passages. 

 

Chapter 9: - Engine Failures and Defects 

 

 

 

Place a glass of the exact length through the top portion of 
the column through the two rubber washers, bush and 
packing nut at the top and then through the packing nut, 
bush and two rubber washers at the bottom of the column.   

 
  

Hold up the packing nuts and bushes with a piece of cord 
tied to the top cock, rest the glass firm on the bottom seating 
and hold the glass down firmly, insert a double turn of 
asbestos cord and then the two rubber washers into the 
bottom stuffing box, making them firm by forcing down with a 
piece of wood   

 
 

Then insert another double turn of asbestos cord, place the 
bush and packing nut in position and tighten the nut, only 
hand tight.  Pack the top end in a similar manner, replace 
and tighten the cap plug, and then open the top cock slightly 
until the glass is heated by the steam passing through it, 
then slowly open wide the water and steam cocks, and close 
the trial cock. 

 
 

Always oil the threads on the packing nuts and cap plugs 
before replacing them.  On engines having water columns 
fitted with hexagonal packing glands and hexagonal rubber 
packing rings, care must be exercised to see that the gland 
fits correctly in the stuffing box before the gland nut is 
tightened. 

 
9.9 

HOT COUPLING ROD BUSHES 

 
 

If a bush becomes overheated and shows sign of seizing on 
the crank pin, remove the set stud and taper pin to allow the 
bush to revolve in the eye of the coupling rod.  Plug the taper 
pin hole at the bottom, fill the taper pin hole with oil and 
place a cork tightly in the top of the hole. 

 
9.10 

SERIOUS KNOCKING 

 
 

In the event of a knock being heard and the location not 
being known, try the crosshead cotters for tightness with a 
hammer.  If the cotter appears  tight, put the engine in 
reverse and have steam applied.  If the cotter is bent, 
movement by the piston rod in the crosshead will be 
observed. 

 
 

In the event of the cotter being bent, withdraw it and reverse 
it so that the bent portion will engage on the end of the 
piston rod slot, and the cotter will drive home.