This book is issued to firemen for the purpose of
building up their efficiency, in order that they may
become competent locomotive engineers.  It is,
therefore, necessary that they devote a portion of
their time to the study of the questions con-
tained therein.  The preparations necessary for a
fireman to correctly answer these questions will
require not only study, but an intelligent under-
standing of the many duties that make up his
daily work, which eventually will fit him for the
responsible duties of an engineer.
   Good judgement, intelligence and care are the
necessary qualifications of a good fireman and are
the attributes of success; accompanied by diligence
to learn and understand the construction, care and
proper management of locomotives and the rules
and regulations of the Company.  Having these
attainments to start with, advancement will come
to those who are conscientious in discharging
their duties, and who devote some of their leisure
hours to study.
 
                        E. W. SCHEER,
                                General Manager, Eastern Lines.
                        C. W. VAN HORN
                                General Manager, Western Lines
 
Revised By:
        W. L. ROBINSON,
                Supt. Fuel and Loco. Perfm.
Approved:
        G. H. EMERSON,
                Chief Motive Power and Equip.
Approved:
        C. W. GALLOWAY,
                Vice-President Operations and Maintenance.
 
 

 
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                        5
 
Examination of Firemen for Promotion to
                Engineers.
 
   The examination of firemen for promotion to
locomotive engineers will be conducted by the
Road Foreman of Engines or his assistant or by
the Mechanical Examiner on the questions con-
tained in this book, and by the Trainmaster
on rules governing the movement of trains.
   When a fireman has been in the service for two
years, he will be expected to pass a satisfactory
examination on the questions shown as "Second
Series," and on or before the expiration of six
years the "Third Series" of final examination for
promotion will be required.  It is not expected
that a fireman will pass these examinations without
study and assistance.  It is, therefore, necessary
that a fireman devote as much of his leisure time
as possible to the study of the locomotives and air
brake appliances, in order that he may under-
stand them properly.  He is also expected to go
to the Master Mechanic, General Foreman,
Road Foreman of Engines and Air Brake In-
structor, or any other official, and ask for such
information as may be required on any of the
questions, or any points in connection with the
work.  He is not only invited but urged to do
this, as the more knowledge of his work a man
possesses, the better will be the results obtained.
He will have ample time to study each set of
questions; there is no doubt but that with a
reasonable amount of study, supplemented with
close observation of the working of the locomo-
tives, the information necessary to answer satis-
factorily the entire list of questions can be easily
mastered in the given time.  In regard to break-
downs, it is advised that he carefully inspect
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                        6
 
each case that comes to his notice, see where
the parts have given away, and in what manner
the work of blocking up is done.  A few hours
each week spent in our repair shops at the ter-
minals will be of much advantage to him.  In
connection with these examinations the work
done by the fireman during the year, and how
the work compares with that of other firemen
in the same class of service will be carefully
noted, his record as to the use of coal, supplies,
and attention to duty will also be taken into
consideration.
   It is hoped that he will give every detail the
consideration that it merits, and realize fully that
it is by looking after the "little things" that a man
succeeds.  It should be borne in mind that by
filling well the position he holds, he becomes
entitled to the confidence that makes better
positions possible.
   It must be understood that memorized answers
to questions given herein will not be sufficient.
Examiners may ask any question or questions
bearing on any subject of the examination, in
order to determine how well the candidate
understands the subject.  He may be required
to disconnect such parts as rods, crossheads,
links, etc., and put them together; to explain the
uses of the shoes and wedges, and the proper
manner of making adjustments of the same, and
to show familiarity with the construction of
piston, slide valves, piston valves, etc.  he may
be required to take injectors apart and point out
the parts that are likely to give trouble in service;
to compute the area of a crown sheet and the
total pressure of steam upon it.
   He will be required to understand the air brake,
and the function and operation of its essential
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                        7
 
parts.  The Company has air brake instruction
cars with competent instructors in charge, who
are always ready and willing to impart their
knowledge to the employees seeking it.
   The examinations conducted by the Road
Foreman of Engines, or his Assistant, or by the
Mechanical Examiner on mechanical features are
final, but these examinations on the air brake are
preliminary, and it is necessary for the Fireman
to qualify on the air brake instruction car before
an Air Brake Instructor.
   In accordance with Rule 22 of Rules and Rates
of Pay for Fireman and Hostlers, August 1, 1927.
   (a) A Fireman who has been in the service six
(6) years, unless Engineers are needed, will be
given examinations necessary to qualify him for
the position of Engineer, and if successful in the
examinations, will be given certificate of qualifi-
cation within thirty (30) days.
   (b) Firemen who are eligible for their first
examination for qualification as Engineer will be
given not less than thirty (30) days' notice of date
of examination.  Each Fireman will be notified
by individual letter, copy to be sent to Local
Chairman.   Firemen to be examined, will acknow-
ledge receipt of letter within ten (10) days, sending
copy of acknowledgement to Local Chairman.
   (c) Firemen will be called up for examination
for qualification as Engineers in classes of not
more than ten (10) men, and a class will conclude
its first subject examination before another class
is called up to start its examination.  Local
Chairman to be notified the result of the exami-
nations.  For first examination, a Fireman shall
be given three trials; if he fails in his first trial, he
will be given a second trial within thirty days at
his option from the date of the first trial;  if he fails
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                        8
 
on his second trial, he will be given a third trial
within thirty days at his option, of the date of the
second trial, and if he fails to pass his third trial,
he will be dropped down on the Fireman's
seniority roster and given two years' seniority as
a Fireman, and will rank in seniority accordingly.
When a Fireman has failed in accordance with the
foregoing and is called up in another class and
fails in his first trial on his second examination, he
shall be dropped to the bottom of the seniority list
and rank in seniority accordingly.  Firemen who
have failed in examination for qualification as
Engineer may be later promoted, regardless of the
new seniority date, and will rank as senior
Engineer as per succeeding paragraph.
   A Fireman who has failed to qualify for promo-
tion and later passes examination and thereby
qualifies, will not lose any seniority as an Engi-
neer, provided, he has passed his examination,
and is a qualified man before a junior man actually
performs service as an Engineer.
   A qualified man will not establish a date as an
Engineer when there are demoted Engineers on
the seniority district, back firing.  A Junior
qualified man called to perform service as a
Engineer when there are no Engineers back firing
on the seniority district, only establishes a senior-
ity date for the senior qualified man on the
seniority district.
   Firemen will be given three (3) trials on each
subject in their examination for promotion, i.e.,
Machinery, Air and Book of Rules.
   (d) Firemen reusing examination will be
counted as having failed, and will be dropped on
the seniority list in accordance with paragraph
(c) of this rule.
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                        9
 
   After each examination given a Fireman, the
Mechanical Examiner, the Air Brake Examiner,
the Rules Examiner or other Examiner, will
certify to the Road Foreman of Engines the result
of the examination.
   The Road Foreman of Engines will maintain
in his office a permanent book record of the
results of such examinations.
   When a Fireman has successfully passed his
final examination for promotion, the Road Fore-
man of Engines will originate and sign Certificate
of Promotion, Form 723-N, in triplicate, to which
after signature by the specified examiners, he will
secure the signature in approval of the Division
Superintendent.  The Road Foreman of Engines
will then give the Fireman, one copy of the Cer-
tificate of Promotion, forward one copy to the
Employment Bureau, Baltimore, Maryland, and
place one copy on his office record file.
 
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                        10
 
SECOND SERIES QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
 
Machinery and Locomotive Operation
 
1. Q. What, in your opinion, is the best way to fire a
        locomotive?
 
    A. To carry a level fire on the grate, or it may be
        just a little heavier at the sides, front and
        back, so the air cannot come through it near
        the sheets as rapidly as in the center of the
        firebox; always fire as light as consistent with
        the work required, endeavor to maintain a
        uniform steam pressure at all times, and avoid
        unnecessary black smoke and a waste of
        steam through the safety valves by the engine
        popping.
 
2.   Q. Have you made any effort to practice the
         smokeless method of firing?  What results?
 
     A. Yes.  With cross firing method, have obtained
         fairly good results.
 
3.   Q. Is smokeless firing practicable?  How can black
         smoke be prevented?
 
     A. Yes, but it is necessary in order to obtain good
         results, that boiler and firebox be in good
         condition, coal broken to proper firing
         size; then by keeping coal damp, and with
         the hearty and intelligent cooperation of
         engineer and fireman, smokeless firing is both
         economical and practicable.
 
4.   Q. What should be observed when approaching and
         standing at a station?
 
     A. On approaching the station where a stop is to
         be made, firing should be stopped far enough
         back to allow the gases to be consumed
         before the throttle is closed so there will be
         little or no black smoke from the stack and
         yet have sufficient fire that it will not be
         necessary to feed the fire again, if a short stop
         is to be made, until the train is started and
         the engine cut back to or near the running
         cutoff.
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                        11
 
5.   Q. Describe the general  form of a locomotive
         boiler.
 
     A. A locomotive boiler is cylindrical in form; it
         usually has a rectangular shaped firebox at
         one end and a smokebox at the other, and
         flues extend through the cylindrical part,
         which, like the firebox, are surrounded by
         water.
 
6.   Q. How does a wide firebox type of boiler differ
         from the ordinary boiler, and what are its
         advantages?
 
     A. The wide firebox type of boiler is built so the
         firebox is above the frame and extends out
         over the driving wheels.  The advantages of
         this are to obtain a larger grate area in the
         same length of firebox, and to have a slower
         rate of combustion per square foot of grate
         surface.  The deep firebox is limited in
         width to the distance between the frames,
         while the shallow firebox sets on top of the frames.
 
7.   Q. How does the tubular firebox boiler differ from
         the other types of fireboxes?
 
     A. The tubular firebox is constructed of tubes
         extending from horizontal circulating drums
         to mud ring.  The horizontal circulating
         drums displaces the crown sheet.  A firebox
         of this type creates a very rapid circulation of
         water, giving additional heating service, and
         eliminates the use of stay bolts.
 
8.   Q. To what strain is the firebox subjected?
 
     A. To crushing strains and to those of unequal
         contraction and expansion.
 
9.   Q. How are the side sheets in a firebox supported?
 
     A. They are supported by staybolts screwed
         through the inside and outside sheets with
         their ends riveted over.
 
10.  Q. In what manner is a crown sheet supported?
 
     A. By radial staybolts.
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                        12
 
11.  Q. What are the advantages of radial stay crown
         sheets?
 
     A. They are easier to keep clean and cheaper to
         repair.
 
12.  Q. How are the inside and outside sheets of a
         fire box secured at the bottom?
 
     A. They are riveted to a wrought iron ring called
 
         a mud ring.
 
13.  Q. Describe the ash pan and its use.
 
     Q. It is a receptacle secured to the firebox.  It
         collects the ashes that drop from the firebox
         and prevents them from setting fire to bridges
         or other property along the tracks.  The
         engine men must know that ash pan slides and
         hopper bottoms are closed before leaving the
         engine house.
 
14.  Q. What is a wagon-top boiler?
 
     A. It is a boiler that has the firebox end made
         larger than the cylindrical part to provide
         more steam space.
 
15.  Q. Why are boilers provided with steam domes?
 
     A. To furnish more steam space and to obtain
         drier steam, and to provide a place for the
         safety valves, steam pipes, throttle valve and
         whistle.
 
16.  Q. What must be the condition of a boiler to give
         the best results?
 
     A. It must have good circulation and be free
         from mud and scale.
 
17.  Q. What is meant by "circulation" in a boiler?
 
     A. A free movement of the water, so that it may
         come in contact with the heating surface and,
         after being converted into steam, be
         immediately replaced by a fresh supply of water.
 
18.  Q. What is the effect if a "leg" of the firebox
         become filled with mud?
 
     A. There would be no water in contact with the
         firebox sheets, and they would quickly become
         overheated and mud-burnt.
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                        13
 
19.  Q. What would be the result if the firebox sheets
         became overheated?
 
     A. They would be weakened and forced off the
         stay-bolts and cause damage.
 
20.  Q. Would it be advisable to put water in a boiler
         after the sheets become bare and red hot?
 
     A. No.  The fire should be killed at once.
 
21.  Q. What are flues and what are their use?
 
     A. Flues are long steel tubes which reach from the
         firebox to the font end of the boiler.  They
         are the means of providing the draft for the
         fire and also provide additional heating surface
         for the water.
 
22.  Q. How are the surfaces of the boiler exposed to
         the heat from the fire prevented from
         becoming overheated?
 
     A. By keeping a sufficient amount of water in the
         boiler, to cover all surfaces, at all times.
 
23.  Q. Explain the function and operation of the low-water
         alarm, which is standard on our road.
 
     A. The low-water alarm consists of a tube extending
         from a point close above the highest point
         of the crown sheet through the roof sheet
         to an alarm whistle outside the engine cab,
         the lower end of the tube being attached to a
         cage screwed through the crown sheet, which
         carries a fusible plug so placed as to close the
         lower end of the tube, and also a firebox plug
         extending through the crown sheet into the
         firebox.  Normally, the water circulates
         through the cage and holds the temperature
         of the fusible plug below the point of
         softening.  But, should low water endanger the
         crown sheet, the absence of circulating water
         allows the temperature of the cage to rise to
         the softening temperature of the fusible plug,
         the boiler pressure blows through the plug and
         the alarm whistle sounds, indicating low
         water.
 
24.  Q. What effect has the stoppage of a large number
         of flues?
 
     A. The heating surfaces and draft are decreased
         by just that much area.
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                        14
 
25.  Q. Why are boiler checks or deliver tube placed
         so far away from the firebox?
 
     Q. To introduce the water into the boiler at as
         great a distance from the firebox as possible.
         This permits it to become heated to a high
         temperature before it comes in contact with
         the firebox sheets, and also improves circulation.
 
26.  Q. What part of the boiler has the greatest pressure?
         Why?
 
     A. The bottom, because it is subjected to the
         weight of the water in addition to the steam
         pressure in the boiler.
 
27.  Q. What are the advantages of the extension front
         end?
 
     A. To provide room for suitable draft and spark
         appliances.
 
28.  Q. What is the object of the hollow stay bolts?
 
     A. To indicate when the stay bolt is broken by the
         escape of steam through the small hole in the
         bolt.
 
29.  Q. What is the purpose of a netting in a smokebox,
         or front end?
 
     A. To act as a crusher of all cinders and prevent
         large cinders from passing out of the front
         end to the atmosphere.
 
30.  Q. What would cause the engine to tear holes in
         the fire?
 
     A. Working the engine hard, slipping the driving
         wheels, or carrying too thin a fire.
 
31.  Q. Name the various adjustable appliances in the
         font end by which the draft may be regulated.
 
     A. The exhaust nozzle and the diaphragm.
 
32.  Q. What object is there in having the exhaust
         steam go through the stack, and what effect
         has this on the fire?
 
     A. The exhaust steam escaping through the stack
         tends to empty the smokebox of gases, and
         produces a partial vacuum there, atmosphere
         pressure then forces air through the grates
         and tubes to refill the smokebox.  In this way,
         the draft through the fire is established and
         maintained.
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                        15
 
33.  Q. Explain what adjustments can be made and the
         effect of each adjustment on the fire.
 
     A. Larger or smaller nozzle tips cause less of
         greater drafts on the fire; raising or lowering
         the diaphragm causes the engine to burn the
         fire more at the rear end or front end of the
         firebox.
 
34.  Q. What does it indicate when the exhaust issues
         strongest from one side of the stack?
 
     A. The stack or exhaust pipe are out of plumb.
 
35.  Q. What is the effect of leaky steam pipe or nozzle
         box joints, or unit seats, or front-end air leaks?
 
     A. The engine will not steam freely, as it would
         destroy the vacuum.
 
36.  Q. If, upon opening the firebox door, you discover
         there what might be called a "red fire,"
         what might be the cause?
 
     A. The grates may have become clogged with
         ashes or clinkers so that sufficient air could
         not pass through them to the fire.  This will
         also cause a pull at the fire box door.
 
37.  Q. Is it not a waste of fuel to open firebox door
         prevent pop valves from opening?
 
     A. Yes.  This can usually be prevented by putting
         on the injector, or by more careful firing.
 
38.  Q. What is the principle on which an injector
         works?
 
     A. An injector works upon the principle of induced
         currents and velocity; a jet of steam flowing
         through the injector first creates a vacuum,
         allows the atmospheric pressure on top of the
         water in the tank to force the water into the
         injector and out the overflow, which causes
         the injector to prime.  When the steam valve
         is opened wide, the increased jet of steam
         meets with the body of water in the injector
         with which it combines and imparts sufficient
         velocity to the water to force it through
         the delivery pipe and open the boiler check
         valves and enter the boiler against the pressure
         carried there.
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                        16
 
39.  Q. What is the difference between a lifting and a
         non-lifting injector?
 
     A. A lifting injector will create sufficient vacuum
         to raising the water from the level of the tank
         to the injector.  The steam tubes in a non-lifting
         injector are different, and it will not
         raise the water, but merely force it into the
         boiler.  A non=lifting injector must be placed
         below the level of the water in the tank so
         the water will flow to it by gravity.
 
40.  Q. What are the various parts of a lifting injector?
 
     A. The injector consists of a body supplied with
         a steam valve, a steam nozzle, a primer, a
         combining tube, a delivery tube, a line check
         valve, an overflow valve and a water valve.
         A lifting injector has also a lifting tube.
 
41.  Q. How would you start an injector?
 
     A. By opening the water valve on the injector,
         pulling the starting lever out, creating a
         vacuum in the body of the injector and
         adding the full volume of steam in the injector
         body.
 
42.  Q. What are the most common causes for injectors
         failing to work?
 
     A. Screen in the tank hose being clogged up,
         insufficient water supply in the tank, or a leak
         in the feed pipe from injector to tank hose.
 
43.  Q. Will an injector work with a leak between the
         injector and the tank?  Will it prime?
 
     A. The lifting injector will not work if the leak is
         bad.  It will not prime because the air
         admitted through the leak destroys the vacuum
         necessary to raise the water to the injector
         level.  A non-lifting injector will work, as
         the water will escape from the pipe instead
         of air being drawn into it as with the lifting
         injector.
 
44.  Q. If it would not prime, where would you expect
         to find the trouble?
 
     A. Insufficient water supply, or with the lifting
         injector the trouble might be caused by leak
         between the injector and tank, or priming
         valve out of order.
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                        17
 
45.  Q. Will an injector prime if boiler check leaks
         badly, or if it is stuck up?
 
     A. No.
 
46.  Q. If the feed water in the tank becomes too hot,
         what should be done?
 
     A. The steam supply at the manifold valve should
         be cut down until the next water plug is
         reached, thereby refilling the water tank,
         which would cool the water off.
 
47.  Q. Will an injector work if air cannot get into tank
         as fast as water is let out?
 
     A. No.
 
48.  Q. How would you keep an injector from freezing?
 
     A. With all types of lifting injectors.  Drain
         branch pipes, leaving drain cocks open
         sufficiently to permit a free circulation of steam.
         Close overflow valves.  Close injector steam
         valve at manifold.  Open injector starting
         valve.  Open injector steam valve at manifold
         to regulate the amount of steam to prevent
         freezing.  With all types of non-lifting
         injectors: Open drain cocks in branch pipes.
         Close overflow valve and injector steam
         valve at manifold.  Open injector starting
         valve and steam regulating valve.  Open
         injector steam valve at manifold to regulate
         amount of steam to prevent freezing.  Open
         water regulating valve sufficiently to permit
         steam to enter water connections.
 
49.  Q. What may be done if a combing tube is
         obstructed?
 
     A. The steam valve bonnet may be removed and
         the obstruction forced out with a piece of
         stiff wire, or uncouple the delivery pipe from
         the injector and unscrew and remove the
         tubes; the obstruction can then be removed
         and the tubes replaced.
 
50.  Q. How is the greatest injury done to a boiler when
         cleaning the fire?
 
     A. By excessive use of the blower drawing cold air
         through the firebox and flues.
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