e found advantageous.

The Engine-man should frequently look to the working gear, to see that it
is in proper order, and to rectify any deficiency at the next Station.

On nearing a Station where it is intended to stop, the regulator should
be gradually eased off at about five-eighths of a mile from the Station,
so that the train may be more under control, and when from a quarter to
half a mile distant, according to the velocity and weight of the train,
the steam should be completely shut off, and the train brought to rest by
the breaks. In approaching terminal Stations the steam should be shut
off at a greater distance than at the intermediate Stations, to prevent
the possibility of overrunning the mark from the failure of breaks. It
must be borne in mind that the breaks act much less efficiently in wet or
frosty weather, when it becomes necessary to shut off the steam further
from the Stations. The use of the reversing-lever ought, as much as
possible, to be avoided: it may sometimes be placed in the middle
position (in which the valves do not act), but it should never be
completely reversed unless absolutely necessary for the stoppage of the
train.

At the intermediate Stations, the Stoker should frequently oil all the
bearings not supplied by the large oil-vessels, and fill the oil-cups of
the connecting-rods, slides, &c., and if any of the bearings, brasses,
&c., are hot, they should be more copiously oiled, and eased if
necessary. He should also examine all the working gear cursorily to see
if it is in a complete state; particular attention should be given to the
axle-bearings, and especially those of the cranked axle, which sometimes
become so hot by running as to require cooling by throwing on water.

In case of the driving wheels slipping much in starting from a Station,
the opening of the regulator should be reduced, and only gradually opened
as the wheel bites; the Stoker is sometimes obliged to scatter ashes,
sand, &c., before the wheels: some Engines are now furnished with hoppers
in front, opened by a handle from the foot-board, by means of which sand
may be dropped on the rails in front of the driving wheels.

If slipping is observed to an unusual extent, it may be inferred that
there is not sufficient weight on the driving wheels, and the springs
ought to be tightened by screwing up the nuts of the bearing bolts: or
where the framing is hung to the springs by plain links, the spring pins
must be