The cut opposite represents the right side of the Peerless, Side Crank, Rear Gear Traction Engine.
The main engine frame is of the girder pattern, and contains the guides and pillow block bearing. It also forms the front cylinder head, to which the cylinder is bolted. The cylinder is overhanging, and connected to the long feed water heater by the exhaust pipe.
The valve is of the piston type. The reverse gear is the Landis Patent Reverse and Variable Cut-off. It has the [Cross-head Pump] connected with a long Feed Water Heater, [Governor], [Injector], and the locomotive style of boiler swings in an iron frame, to which it is attached, and rests upon springs at both back and front ends.
The smoke stack is water lined, and traction wheels have wrought iron rims with high grouters and wood spokes. The platform has two steel tanks for water and tools, and the steering wheel and band wheel are on opposite sides of the engine.
Slide valves should be fitted to their seats by filing and scraping, and never by the use of emery and oil. The piston rod and valve rod may be packed with braids of hemp or cotton wicking, with rings cut from patent packing of various kinds or metallic packing.
To clean brass articles with acid is a great mistake, as with such treatment they very soon become dull. Sweet oil and putty powder followed by soap and water, is one of the best mediums for brightening brass and copper.
To frost brass work and give it an ornamental finish, boil the article in caustic potash, rinse in clean water and dip in nitric acid until all oxide is removed; then wash quickly, dry in box-wood sawdust, and lacquer while warm.
The best material for grinding in valves and stop cocks is pulverized glass. It is superior to emery for this purpose. Fine sand may be used.
To remedy a leaky angle, check or globe valve, it should be taken apart, and the valves ground to fit their seats properly with either fine sand, pulverized glass or emery.