A. To carry a nice, level fire on the grate, or it may be just a little
heavier at the sides and front, so the air cannot come through it near
the sheets as rapidly as in the center of the fire-box; always fire as
light as consistent with the work required, endeavor to maintain a
uniform steam pressure at all times, and avoid unnecessary black smoke
and a waste of steam through the safety valves by the engine popping.
2. Q. What are the advantages of superheated steam over saturated steam
in locomotive service?
A. Saving in water; saving in fuel; increased boiler capacity and a more
powerful locomotive. Superheated steam does away entirely with all
condensation in the cylinders, while saturated steam coming in contact
with passages in cylinder saddle and walls of cylinders, is immediately
cooled and in cooling, a part of it is changed back into water which
affects the pressure and therefore its capacity to do work.