Locomotive Engine Running and Management

by Angus Sinclair

TO ASCERTAIN THE QUALITY OF WATER.

The proper way to ascertain with accuracy the character of water, is to send specimens to a competent analytical chemist for quantitative analysis. But, as few railroad companies will incur the expense of having the water of the water stations systematically tested, master mechanics may, by a little labor, study, and practice, learn to make tests for themselves that will indicate near enough for practical purposes the character of each water station supply.

As master mechanics are the railroad officials most directly interested in the kind of water supplied for locomotive use, they ought to have direct control of all the water stations on the roads where they are in charge.