A. It is most injurious when a light smoke is emitting.
21. Q. In drifting down long grades should the fire be shut off or burned lightly? Why?
A. The fire should be burned lightly and not permitted to get low enough to allow the fire-box to lose its temperature, as this will contract the flues and cause them to leak.
22. Q. How should the fire be handled when switching?
A. The fire must be regulated to meet the requirements of the work the engine is performing on each move and to protect against any possibility of the fire being drawn out by the exhaust.
23. Q. Would not some fuel be wasted in this way?
A. Not necessarily. A waste of fuel can be avoided by close attention on the part of the fireman when switching as well as when running.
24. Q. How should the fire be handled when leaving stations?
A. It should be burning brightly and strong enough to prevent the draft from putting it out when the throttle is opened. And a little smoke should show up at the stack, which would indicate that the fire was being forced just a little ahead of the working of the engine.
25. Q. Which is desirable, to use as much or as little steam jet atomizer as possible?