Handbook of Railroad Construction; For the use of American engineers. / Containing the necessary rules, tables, and formulæ for the location, construction, equipment, and management of railroads, as built in the United States.

by George L. Vose

In breaking out the coke from the ovens, a great deal is unavoidably reduced too fine for use in the locomotive furnace under a strong draft; such may, however, be used in firing up, in standing still, and at the stations.

In taking the coke from the ovens it should be separated into the three following classes.

Large coke.	Cubes of 9 inches to the side.
Medium coke.	Cubes of 6 inches to the side.
Small coke.	Cubes of 3 inches to the side.

Pittsburgh coal carefully coked for forty-eight hours, gives seventy-five per cent., by weight, and one hundred twenty-five per cent. by bulk, of firstrate, firm, bright, clean coke.

The best test for coke is to place it in water. Water, weighing sixty-two and one half pounds per cubic foot, should not float good coke, which ought to weigh sixty-three pounds per cubic foot, therefore if the coke floats it is too light.

Much of the bituminous coal in the Mississippi valley does not coke, but burns up. A large part cokes moderately well, but not so well as the Pittsburgh coal. In estimating for a comparison of fuels, the particular coal of any location must be tested.

OF THE COMPARATIVE VALUE OF WOOD, COAL, AND COKE.

This question divides itself into two parts,

The relative cost of the different fuels,

and The relative power to produce heat.