Q.—Should the water in the boiler become disturbed, and foam, what would you do? And how would you ascertain whether it was foaming, or being over pumped?
A.—As soon as the water is discovered discharging from the stack, would at once shut off, and ascertain the height of the water solid. Should the water drop below the second or third gauge, would conclude there was foaming, and would again gently open the throttle. Should the water again rise, and discharge from the stack, would put on both injectors, open the surface blow, and run carefully; allowing the bad water to be worked off through the surface blow, being very careful not to work the water in sufficient quantities through the cylinders as to endanger knocking out the heads; and would occasionally shut off, to see that the water was not being thrown off faster than the pumps or injectors were supplying it. By this means, the bad water would, in most cases, be worked out, and, with gentle usage, would again settle.
Q.—Should the blow-off cock be blown out, or be broken off, or a hole be broken in the boiler in any way, what would you do?
A.—Draw the fire promptly, and send a messenger to the nearest telegraph office for assistance. Would then disconnect, and get the engine ready to be towed in when assistance arrived.
Q.—What portions of the engine would you disconnect in such a case?
A.—Take off main rods and valve-rods.
Q.—What is important to observe in setting up or adjusting wedges?
A.—To have them so neatly adjusted that there will be no thump of the boxes, and, at the same time, not so tight as to cramp, and not allow them full and free play in the pedestals.
Q.—How would you go about setting them up?
A.—Would place the engine at half stroke on the right side, block the left wheels, admit a little steam, and thump the boxes hard away from the wedges. Would then get under, and put the wedges up solid with a short wrench, and make a side mark on the pedestals at top of wedge, then draw them down equally a scant one-eighth of an inch. Go over the left side in the same manner.