Practical Rules for the Management of a Locomotive Engine: | Page 6

this account its use is forbidden on some Railways, excepting on occasions of extreme emergency; but the variety of modulation of which it is susceptible has in others induced its adoption as a frequent warning. When the latter is the case, it has been found a safe measure to sound the whistle directly the steam has been shut off previously to stopping at a Station, and to give two short whistles the moment before starting, to warn parties of the approach and departure of the train. When this system is practised, the Engine-man should not turn on the full power of the whistle, but reserve it exclusively for cases of danger.
When near the end of the trip very little fire is wanted, and both feed-pumps should be turned on for a short distance before arriving at the Station, unless the Engine is to start again immediately. If it is intended to remain at the Station about an hour, the water should be considerably above the middle cock (when the Engine is standing), which will be effected by keeping on both feed-pumps from a half to three-quarters of a mile. The safety-valve should, at the same time, be eased off to 35 lbs.
If the train is brought into the Station by a tow-rope, great care must be taken to stretch the rope gradually by a gentle advance of the Engine, which must be stopped at a signal from the tow-rope man.
It would be prudent to conduct the examination described at the commencement, directly the Engine arrives at the Station, in order to leave time for any repair which may be required.
When an Engine is running the last trip for the day, no fuel need be put on for the last 10, 15, or 20 miles, according as the duty is heavy or light; indeed, the fire may be nearly run out by the time the Engine stops, if the gradients, &c., are favourable. For a considerable distance before stopping both pumps should be at work, so that the water in the boiler may be at or above the top cock when the Engine stops, and the safety-valve should be eased off to 25 lbs. per square inch.
On stopping over the pit, the fire is drawn by opening the fire-door, introducing the arrow-headed poker through the fire-bars, and pulling up two or three of them from the bottom of the furnace, by which room will be allowed for the rest to be separated, and the fire fall through into the ash-pan, from which it is raked out by the Stoker. The practice of blowing off all the water from a boiler by the pressure of the steam should never be allowed, without an express order from the Superintendent of Locomotives, when the boiler is unusually full of mud; as, if frequently practised, it will seriously injure the fire-box and tubes.

THE MANAGEMENT OF A LOCOMOTIVE ENGINE IN CASES OF ACCIDENT.
An Engine is liable to several accidents while running, and it is important that the Engine-man should know how to act promptly under the circumstances. In the following list several cases are enumerated, with the particular steps to be taken in each.
1. The bursting of a tube.--The Engine-man should stop the Engine, and drive a plug into each end of the tube. It frequently happens that the water and steam blow out with so much force, that it is impossible even to discover the defective tube: by running the Engine for a short distance with both pumps acting, the pressure of the steam will perhaps be sufficiently reduced to enable the Engine-man to work with safety; but if the escape of water and steam is still too great to do so, he must run his Engine and train, if possible, off the main line into a siding, and draw the fire, to prevent its injuring the fire-box and tubes: when the water has run out down to the level of the defective tube, it may be easily plugged, and a fresh fire laid and lighted. A tube will frequently leak to a considerable extent without absolutely requiring the stoppage of the train; but in this case great care is necessary not to use much steam, or urge the fire too far.
The bursting of a tube or other causes will sometimes lead to the lagging or casing of the boiler catching fire, which should be extinguished by throwing on water from the Tender-cistern in a fire-bucket, or from the water crane at a Station.
2. The failing of one of the feed pumps.--In this case the adequate supply of water may, with care, be maintained by one pump only. The supply of coke must be regular, and not in large quantities; and the steam must be economised, or the water may run low. The pump should