OIL BURNING LOCOMOTIVES
1. Q. What are the fireman's duties on arrival at the enginehouse previous to going out on an oil burning locomotive?
A. In addition to the duties usually performed on any engine, the fireman should observe the condition of draft pans and arch, observe the condition of burner and dampers; try the oil regulating valve; see that the burner is properly delivering fuel oil to the fire; see that the oil heaters are in working order; that the fuel oil is heated to proper temperature; and see that proper supplies of fuel oil, sand and water have been provided as well as the necessary tools for handling an oil fire.
2. Q. How warm should the oil be at all times in the tank.
A. Warm enough to flow freely at all times, usually about 112 degrees. This temperature is about that which the hand can bear on the outside of the tank.
3. Q. If the oil is too warm, what happens?
A. Many of the good qualities of the oil may be lost by keeping it too warm, and the burner is more difficult to operate and does not work as well when the oil is kept at too high a temperature. Should the oil be too warm, it will give off too much gas which would be liable to cause an explosion in the oil tank.
4. Q. What tools are necessary for firing purposes on an oil burning locomotive?
A. The tools necessary for firing an oil burning engine include sand horn, brick hook, and a small iron bar to be used in cleaning carbon from the mouth of the burner.
5. Q. What is liable to happen if the heater valve is open too much?