To fire properly, with the greatest effect in saving fuel, it should be done as soon as the steam begins to lift the valves, when by opening the fire-door and putting on a small quantity of coal the steam is checked sufficiently to prevent its being wasted by blowing off.
Some engineers have an idea that unless the steam blows off furiously they have not done their duty by the engine.
A big mistake this.
When steam, water and fuel are being thrown away through the safety valves, it is a positive proof of the existence of either one or the other of the following evils:
Either the engine is too small for its work or too great for its man, and both the engine and the man would do better on short runs; the former until it could be doctored, or the latter until he had learned to bottle his noise.
The intervals between the rounds of firing, which should consist of six shovelfuls only each time the door is opened, is in every case regulated by the weight of the train or load, the state of the weather and the time allowed for running the trip, together with the quality of coal.
The greatest possible mistake on an engine is putting on too much coal. The fire is choked, clinkers are formed, the temperature of the boiler is reduced, contraction and expansion sets in and leaks are formed—in a word everything goes wrong.
The secret of good firing is to fire frequently, a little at a time.
Feeding.
Having discussed fire, let us now consider the other element upon which the locomotive lives—water.