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Starting a steam locomotive

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  • From: Near Promentory UT
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Starting a steam locomotive
Posted by dldance on Friday, February 11, 2005 4:20 PM
the interesting thread about starting a diesel got me to pondering - what does it take to get a cold steam engine up to pressure and ready for use?

(no, I'm not planning to rip off someone's Big Boy!)

dd
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Posted by tatans on Friday, February 11, 2005 6:19 PM
I think you just get in and turn the key don't you??
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  • From: Chula Vista (San Diego), CA
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Posted by unclejoe009 on Friday, February 11, 2005 6:24 PM
http://www.sdrm.org/faqs/hostling.html

This should be what you are looking for.
Matt Chula Vista, CA
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Posted by tatans on Saturday, February 12, 2005 4:32 PM
I went to the site and found it most interesting, excellent site.
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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, February 12, 2005 5:36 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by tatans

I think you just get in and turn the key don't you??


See that crank under the front coupler??
  • Member since
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  • From: CA
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Posted by Brydle on Saturday, February 12, 2005 5:38 PM
Just strike a match!
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Posted by dldance on Saturday, February 12, 2005 10:47 PM
thanks unclejoe009 - great article. Somehow I had always imagined a pile of kindling wood like a boy scout fire. (of course a little kerosene makes those lit better as well!)

dd
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Posted by Puckdropper on Sunday, February 13, 2005 2:04 AM
Wonderful article...

You may want to follow the "Back to main page" link at the bottom. There's a lot of interesting things to read, including a tougne-in-cheek description of what a diesel is.
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Posted by BaltACD on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 4:41 PM
The following are proceedures to apply to steam engines on the Ready Track....

QUOTE: B&O Circular #747
BALTIMORE, MD., August 1, 1938.

(Folder 539)


MISCELLANEOUS CIRCULAR Chief of Motive Power and Equipment Circular No. L-747-A

General Manager Circular No. 89-Eastern Lines

General Manager Circular No. 50-Western Lines

General Manager Circular No. 31-New York Terminals

(Superseding Circulars L-747 and CT-4)


-------------- Circular ---------------- Superintendent's No ------------------ Miscellaneous ---------------

PREPARING FIRES IN LOCOMOTIVES ON READY TRACKS AND PREPARATIONS
FOR LEAVING THE LOCOMOTIVES ON ARRIVAL AT TERMINALS
Standing instructions specify that locomotives will be set out on ready tracks for dispatchment, with tenders properly loaded with coal at stations where coal is supplied, but not overloaded so that coal will drop off in rounding curves; that ashpans will be clean and have slides properly closed and fastened; that boiler shall not have less than one gauge of water nor more than three gauges of water; that fire shall be distributed over the grates and built up for the fireman by using the shovel, and that stokers shall not be used to build up the fire in locomotives. Engine Watchmen, Hostlers and those working in similar capacity are made, responsible for seeing that these things are properly done, and Foremen are responsible for the manner in which these employees do their work.

Road Foremen of Engines should see that Firemen are instructed in the proper method of preparing their fire and building it up while on the ready track, and emphasis should be placed on the responsibility of Engineers (Rule 910) for the proper performance of this work by their Firemen.

Boiler pressure should not be raised to a point above 25 pounds less than the maximum boiler pressure while engine is on the ready track, and under no circumstances should the Engine Crew, Engine Watchmen and Hostlers be so neglectful of their duties as to force the pops to lift.

Blowing safety valves on the ready track means not only absolute useless waste of from ten to twenty pounds of coal per minute, but is a clear indication of carelessness and neglect and the performance of unnecessary manual labor as well, since one or two scoops of coal per minute are required to keep the pops blowing and only a very little thought and care is required to keep them closed.

In making proper preparation for leaving their engines after being relieved upon arrival at terminal, Engineers are responsible for knowing that the fire is properly burned down, leaving only sufficient to permit necessary cleaning, and that the slides on stoker engines are in place so that coal will not be taken with stoker trough open. They should see that steam pressure is sufficient to permit handling engine, but not such as to permit pops to lift and leave engine with not less than two gauges nor more than three gauges of water in boiler and with injectors and blower shut off.

Where hydrostatic lubricators are used, Engineer should shut off feeds and steam supply, shut off sanders, shut off headlight generator, open cylinder cocks and remove syphon feeds from oil cups before leaving engine, in addition to closing feeds of all other oil cups.

Engineers should be careful to see that reverse bar is left on center, and whenever possible to see that engine is stopped over inspection pit.

On engines not equipped with power reverse gear, steam should be shut off from air pumps except when weather conditions are such that freezing may result.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 11:39 PM
A couple of years back, there was a story in the Norfolk and Western Railway Historical Society magazine, The ARROW, about how one was fired up from cold to ready to go.

Check their website. Back issues should be available.

Old Timer

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