Practical Rules for the Management of a Locomotive Engine: | Page 7

be repaired as soon as possible; this may frequently be done in the interval between two trips.
3. The breaking of a spring.--This is an accident which does not necessarily involve the stoppage of the train; but as working the Engine in such a state causes an unequal strain, it should run very gently over rough parts of the road; and if the derangement is considerable, and cannot be repaired at the Stations, the Engine should cease running as soon as possible.
4. The breaking of a connecting-rod, or its disconnection by the loss of cotters, fracture of the straps, &c. This accident, or any disconnection which allows the piston to be driven from end to end of the cylinder without restraint, causes expensive damage to the cylinders and covers; and the connecting-rod, if loose, will seriously injure the smaller gear, or may even throw the Engine off the road. The Engine should therefore be instantly stopped, and if possible the connection restored; if that cannot be done, the connecting-rod must be taken off, and if on a level or a descending gradient, the train may sometimes be drawn by a single cylinder: to do so, the slide-valve spindle of the defective cylinder must be detached from the valve gear, by unscrewing the nuts, and setting the slide at the middle of its stroke so as to cover both ports.
If it should be found impracticable to move the train, the Engine might run on alone for assistance; but in any case where the Engine is obliged to remain stationary, the fire must be drawn directly the water is down to the bottom cock.
5. The fracture or disconnection of the eccentrics, or any of the slide-valve gear.--In Engines without hand-gear, if the connection cannot be restored, the attempt may be made, as in the previous instance, to work with one cylinder. When the slide-valve gear is disabled, Engines with hand-gear possess an advantage which others want, in being able to be worked by hand, when a single cylinder would be unequal to the duty, from not being able to move the crank over the centres at starting.
6. The fracture of the strap which holds the slide-valve, renders unavailable the cylinder on that side where it occurs, without affecting the other side. The slide should be detached and placed in the middle of its stroke, and the attempt made to work with one cylinder.
7. The disconnection of a piston, by the fracture of either cotter, is sometimes caused by shutting off the steam too suddenly when the Engine is travelling fast with a heavy load. In this case also the slide should be detached and set in the middle position, and the piston-rod uncoupled from the connecting-rod, which should be removed to prevent its damaging the small gear.
8. The breaking of an axle, in a four-wheeled Engine is an accident which is almost of necessity attended with the overturn of the Engine. In a six-wheeled Engine it requires the stoppage of the train until assistance arrives.
9. The Engine running off the rails. With an Engine-man who drives carefully, watching well the position of the switches, and the signals given him, and stopping when he sees any danger attending his further course, this is an accident of very rare occurrence. If the Engine should run off on hard ground and near the rails, it may sometimes be lifted on again at once, by screw-jacks, crow-bars, and long sways; but if on soft ground or far from the rails, the fire must be drawn, and instant attention given to prevent its sinking deep into the ground.
The Engine should first be separated from the Tender, which, being a lighter weight, may be pushed out of the way, and leave more room for operating on the Engine; this, if it has fallen over on its side, should be lifted as quickly as may be into a vertical position; to do so, a purchase should be obtained under the framing on the lowest side, in two places if possible; two long and tough sways should be brought to bear on these points, and several men placed to weigh upon each; and as the Engine is gradually lifted by the sways, every movement should be followed up and supported by screw-jacks bedded on timber blocking. When the Engine has been lifted upright, it should be firmly supported by timbers placed as stanchions under the framing; the earth may then be cautiously removed from under the wheels, and a length of rail introduced, taking care to bed it as securely as possible on the blockings previously laid down, without disturbing them: the same process should be repeated on the other side, and cross sleepers driven in under both rails to secure the foundation. As soon as the Engine is in a