A. There being no exhaust steam when engine is not running, no benefit is derived from the heater. Now, as cold water should never be forced into a hot boiler the injector becomes of great value, as it heats the feed water to a very high temperature before it enters the boiler.
Q. Is there any independent steam pump made that heats the feed water before it goes into the boiler?
A. [See Marsh Pump description].
Q. When engine, pump, and injector are found to be working properly, what next?
A. If a traction engine, the engine should be reversed several times. This can be done by throwing the reverse lever forward and backward, to ascertain whether the valve is so set that engine will run equally well both ways; then the traction gear may be tried. If engine is supplied with a [friction clutch], by simply pressing the clutch lever gradually until the friction shoes take hold, the engine will start slowly upon the road. This can be done while engine proper is running at full speed.
The clutch lever should be held in one hand when first starting, so that in case of anything being wrong with gearing, it can be stopped immediately by quickly loosening the lever. With the other hand, the steering wheel should be operated to guide the engine upon the road. When all is found to be working properly, and you wish to run the engine any distance, the clutch lever should be placed in notch provided for it; this will hold the friction shoes securely to the wheel, and the engine will move along the road at full speed.
Q. If the engine has no friction clutch, how do you proceed to start the gearing?
A. Stop the engine and place the reversing lever in center notch, slide the spur pinion on main shaft into gear and open the throttle valve wide; then with the reverse lever in one hand (the steering wheel in the other) you can start engine upon the road by throwing the lever backward or forward, which should be done gradually at first, so that engine will start slowly. If all is right, by throwing the reverse lever in the last notch in quadrant, the engine will travel its full speed upon the road.
Q. How should a traction engine be first started upon the road, forward or backward?