So you want to run a Steam Engine

[BaltACD]

[seppburgh2]

And how!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgRyIaJePnQ

[Jones1945]

There were a lot of procedures, a lot of effort needed to be put for preparation, but all these things made it the coolest job at the time. Thanks for posting the Videos.

[seppburgh2]

Now, lets put it all together for some old fashion steam drags! Go to 4.19 min for the starting line up. Afterwards go back to the start for some memorable rod action.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzPe1Qb0fOI&t=23s

[BaltACD]

Jones1945

There were a lot of procedures, a lot of effort needed to be put for preparation, but all these things made it the coolest job at the time. Thanks for posting the Videos.

The thing that most overlook in the operation of steam engines is the coordination and communication that is required between Engineer and Fireman so the the boiler and fire are in the condition the Engineer needs for the task immediately at hand and what will be happening a few minutes in the future....too much fire wastes fuel and water, too little fire and boiler pressure leaves the engine underperforming and wasting track time.

[seppburgh2]

Correct.  The Engineer manages the steam usage, the Fireman's job was to make the steam.  If all goes well, they are a team playing like a well oiled pitcher and catcher in baseball.  O, but how things will go off the rails if your a strange Fireman on a new road match with a 35 year Sr. Engineer!

 

http://ctr.trains.com/way-it-was/railroader-stories/2014/09/a-hard-way-to-make-a-living

[Deggesty]

Several years back, I was talking with a former fireman, and he spoke of a particular engineer who liked to work the engine full stroke--no matter how hard it made the fireman work. He did not have kind words for that engineer.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

I wonder how many cylinder heads were blown out by this engineer due to the inevitable high back pressure.

[BaltACD]

[Jones1945]

Deggesty

Several years back, I was talking with a former fireman, and he spoke of a particular engineer who liked to work the engine full stroke--no matter how hard it made the fireman work. He did not have kind words for that engineer.

I wonder how many Fireman and Engineer were actually hated each other at work! But of course, I also love to hear stories of the crews who could be good friends or worked very well as a team.

[NDG]

 

Hate.

 

There was much bad feeling between the Crafts, especially when the Diesels Came.

 

One Trip West w a 2-8-0 an Engineer who was the Terminal Bully and all around A Hole was going to teach this new-hire Fireman just WHO was Boss in THIS locomotive. ' MY' locomotive, but, his name was not on the tender sides.

 

The Fireman had worked before, had Served Overseas and DID know 'How to Fire'

 

The Engr never used the Cut Off, trying to ' Break the Fireman'.

 

The Fireman was very good, and did all he could to keep steam.

 

He had met guys like this before, had been in bad places in the War, while the Buffoon on the Right Hand Side rode out the War on a Seat Box.

 

He himself never Wrote Up to become an Engineer in His Own Right account the layoffs in the Depression, then to War.

 

He DID know how to Run an Engine and Manage The Air, knew the Rules re Train Orders, Class and Direction, probably better than the Engineer of Record on ' His ' Engine.

 

He did his best and put in a great fire.

 

The engine tried with the coal and water it was fed, but could not make the steam thru Physics and Gravity, a weighty subject.

 

The Engineer sat sideways and nagged. ' Couldn't Shovel Sht ' etc. etc.

 

The Fireman knew the road, and what the Orders and Timetable said and set a trap.

 

He left the cab and went up on the Tender Tank and got the second shovel up there used to trim coal and remove lumps from tank top for Safety at night, and returned.

 

Engr. said,' Now, with TWO Shovels we MIGHT get some Steam.'

 

The Grade steepened, running against Time on Superior Trains and Meets.

 

The Fireman stepped on the Pedal, and the doors opened.

 

In went the First Shovel, without Coal, then, in went the Second Shovel without Coal.

 

Doors folded shut and the Fireman sat on his seat, sideways.

 

The Trainman looked ahead. Safety First.

 

The pressure fell, and fell and fell. The Engine sogged to a stop..HISSSSS!

 

The Engineer was yelling, then realized they were On the Main with Superior Trains all around and Flagging would soon be required. Both Ways.

 

Reality sunk in. OOOPS!!

 

The Fireman grabbed his Grip and Jacket, got off ' His ' side and walked out to Hwy 3 adjacent.

 

First car picked him up, returned to town, and Quit.

 

Maybe they are still there??

 

Thank You.

[SD70Dude]

NDG

Hate.

 

There was much bad feeling between the Crafts, especially when the Diesels Came.

 

One Trip West w a 2-8-0 an Engineer who was the Terminal Bully and all around A Hole was going to teach this new-hire Fireman just WHO was Boss in THIS locomotive. ' MY' locomotive, but, his name was not on the tender sides.

 

The Fireman had worked before, had Served Overseas and DID know 'How to Fire'

 

The Engr never used the Cut Off, trying to ' Break the Fireman'.

 

The Fireman was very good, and did all he could to keep steam.

 

He had met guys like this before, had been in bad places in the War, while the Buffoon on the Right Hand Side rode out the War on a Seat Box.

 

He himself never Wrote Up to become an Engineer in His Own Right account the layoffs in the Depression, then to War.

 

He DID know how to Run an Engine and Manage The Air, knew the Rules re Train Orders, Class and Direction, probably better than the Engineer of Record on ' His ' Engine.

 

He did his best and put in a great fire.

 

The engine tried with the coal and water it was fed, but could not make the steam thru Physics and Gravity, a weighty subject.

 

The Engineer sat sideways and nagged. ' Couldn't Shovel Sht ' etc. etc.

 

The Fireman knew the road, and what the Orders and Timetable said and set a trap.

 

He left the cab and went up on the Tender Tank and got the second shovel up there used to trim coal and remove lumps from tank top for Safety at night, and returned.

 

Engr. said,' Now, with TWO Shovels we MIGHT get some Steam.'

 

The Grade steepened, running against Time on Superior Trains and Meets.

 

The Fireman stepped on the Pedal, and the doors opened.

 

In went the First Shovel, without Coal, then, in went the Second Shovel without Coal.

 

Doors folded shut and the Fireman sat on his seat, sideways.

 

The Trainman looked ahead. Safety First.

 

The pressure fell, and fell and fell. The Engine sogged to a stop..HISSSSS!

 

The Engineer was yelling, then realized they were On the Main with Superior Trains all around and Flagging would soon be required. Both Ways.

 

Reality sunk in. OOOPS!!

 

The Fireman grabbed his Grip and Jacket, got off ' His ' side and walked out to Hwy 3 adjacent.

 

First car picked him up, returned to town, and Quit.

 

Maybe they are still there??

Thank You.

Wow, what a great story!  Good to have you back again.

There are still a good number of A holes (on both sides of the modern cab) who like to "test" new hires in their own ways.  And others who are just all-around pains to work with, and seem to carry their own personal storm cloud around with them.  

And because they are having a bad day, so must you.

[Jones1945]

A machine could bring harmony to the cab. It worth the investment I guess. Not available to all steam locomotives in the States, let alone UK and EU!Next step is dieselization, firemen could sit down and enjoy the scenery. 

 

[BaltACD]

[Jones1945]

BaltACD

Jaw dropping! It's like an intensive course for steam train crews. When I watching this video, I keep thinking about the 5550 which is under construction; I can't wait to see the video of it like this when the 5550 hitting 110mph or above if such high-speed operation will be allowed in 2030.

UP 844 is a fast, solid and durable engine without using the roller bearing rods like the NYCentral Niagara. Stephen the engineer explained the reason. The video showing how intense is the working environment of the crews, even the engine is an oil-burning one. Thank you very much for posting the links!