Q. What is the proper remedy for priming?
A. If it is due to lack of capacity in the boiler nothing can be done but get a new boiler. In other cases it may be remedied by carrying less water in the boiler when that can be done safely, by taking steam from a different point in the steam dome, or if there is no dome by using a long dry pipe with perforation at the end.
A larger steam pipe may help it; or it may be remedied by taking out the top row of flues.
Leaky cylinder rings or a leaky valve may also have something to do with it. In all cases these should be made steam tight. If the exhaust nozzle is choked up with grease or sediment, clean it out.
A traction engine with small steam ports would prime quickly under forced speed.
Q. How would you bank your fires?
A. Push the fire as far to the back of the firebox as possible and cover it over with very fine coal or with dry ashes. As large a portion as possible of the grate should be left open, so that the air may pass over the fire. Close the damper tight. By banking your fires at night you keep the boiler warm and can get up steam more quickly in the morning.
Q. When water is left in the boiler with banked fire in cold weather, what precautions ought to be taken?
A. The cocks in the glass water gauge should be closed and the drain cock at the bottom opened, for fear the water in the exposed gauge should freeze. Likewise all drain cocks in steam cylinder and pump should be opened.
Q. How should a traction engine be prepared for laying up during the winter?