When you pull out the ashes always have a pail of water ready, for you may start a fire that will do no end of damage.
If the water in your boiler gets low and you are waiting for the tank to come up, don’t think you “can keep on a little longer,” but stop your engine at once. It is better to lose a little time than run the risk of an explosion that will ruin your reputation as an engineer and cause your employer a heavy expense.
Never start the pump when the water in the boiler is low.
Be sure the exhaust nozzle does not get limed up, and be sure the pipe where the water enters the boiler from the heater is not limed up, or you may split a heater pipe or knock out a check valve.
Never leave your engine in cold weather without draining off all the water; and always cover up your engine when you leave it.
Never disconnect the engine with a leaky throttle.
Keep the steam pressure steady, not varying more than 10 to 15 lbs.
If called on to run an old boiler, have it thoroughly tested before you touch it.
Always close your damper before pulling through a stack yard.
Examine every bridge before you pull on to it.