How to Become an Engineer

by Frank W. Doughty

A fire like this will make steam when other fires will make none.

It is the only style of fire that should be permitted by a good engineer.

Firing.

To fire properly the fireman should stand in such a position as to be able to reach the coals in the tender easily, and to work the shovel without shifting his feet, except when he turns slightly on his heels, first, toward the coal, and then toward the fire hole.

If a fireman, in the act of firing, lifts his feet off the foot plate, he will roll about, and the firing will be improperly done, in consequence of the coal being knocked off the shovel by the latter catching against the fire hole ring or depletion plate.

Don't jam the shovel into the fire-box—stop it dead at the fire-hole ring. Give the coals a fling, discharging them like shot right into their intended destination.

Don't jam your shovel into the coal and load it down as much as possible. A few lumps of coal lying nicely on the body of the shovel can be handled better. The shovel should not be pushed into the coal by the knees, but should be worked only by the muscles of the arm.

Throw the first shovelful of coal into the left hand front corner, the second shovelful in the right hand front corner, the third shovelful in the right hand back corner, the fourth shovelful in the left hand back corner, the fifth shovelful under the brick arch, close to the tube plate; the sixth and last shovelful under the door. To land this one properly the shovel must enter the fire-box and should be turned over sharp to prevent the coals falling in the center of the grate or the fire.

Now comes the question when to fire.