7. Q. Why is it important that there be no holes through the smoke-box door or front end and none in smoke-box seams or joints?
A. So as to maintain as good a vacuum as possible in the smoke-box and prevent small amounts of air coming in through leaks which tend to heat and warp the smoke-box and its door.
8. Q. How should the locomotive be started to avoid jerks, and what train and other signals should be looked out for at the time of starting?
A. Place the reverse lever in full gear, open the throttle valve gradually so as to start the train one car at a time and easily. Look for signals ahead to show that the track is clear and switch is in correct position, then look for signals from the rear end that the train is all coming.
9. Q. Will an engine equipped with superheat units move as quickly as a saturated steam locomotive when throttle valve is first opened?
A. No.
10. Q. Why?
A. Because steam must first pass through superheat units before it enters the steam pipes leading to steam chest.
11. Q. In placing engine on the turntable, at water or stand pipes, or at other similar places, what must be done?
A. Close throttle valve sooner so that the steam confined in superheat units, pipes and steam chests, will have passed out to the atmosphere.