's time because the
engine cannot be worked to its proper power. When shutting off steam,
the water is liable to drop below the crown sheet and thus risk burning
the fire-box. When water primes badly, it is liable to break cylinder
packing rings, knock out cylinder heads, break bolts in the steam chest
and cut the valves. In such a case additional oil should be fed to the
steam chest until the valves are properly lubricated.

18. Q. Suppose that with the water glass in good working order,
immediately after closing the throttle the water disappeared from the
water glass, what should be done?

A. Would open the throttle and endeavor to raise water until both
injectors would put enough water into the boiler to make it entirely
safe to close the throttle. If unable to raise the water level to the
lower gauge cock would smother the fire or put it out entirely, if
necessary, keeping both injectors working.

19. Q. What work about a locomotive should be done by the engineman?

A. Inspection of the engine both before and after the trip. The engineer
should do any necessary work on the engine after starting out on the
trip to avoid breakdowns and insure getting over the road promptly. This
means tightening up any important bolts that work loose on the trip and
keeping parts from working out of position, adjusting wedges and rod
keys.

20. Q. How should the work of setting up the wedges be done?

A. Place the engine on the upper quarter on the side with the loose
wedge. Do not set the brake if brake shoe will push the driving box
against the defective wedge, but block engine truck wheels so the engine
cannot move, push the boxes against the shoe or dead wedge with a little
steam, set the wedge up until it is a snug fit, then pull it down about
one-sixteenth of an inch and fasten. Provision should be made for
expansion of the box when it gets warm.

21. Q. How should rod brasses be keyed?

A. If properly fitted they should be keyed brass to brass; if not so
fitted, they should be keyed on the large part of the pin so they will
be free enough to run without heating and snug enough to run without
pounding. Do not key them so tight at either end as to prevent the
lateral motion of the brass on the pins.

22. Q. How should an engine be placed for the purpose of keying the rod
brasses?

A. For the main rod, place the engine on the quarter or the top forward
eighth, whichever place gives the largest diameter of the pin to ke