A. The atomizer is a casting containing two long ports with an extension
lip; the upper port is for oil and the lower one for steam. The lip aids
the steam in atomizing and spreading the oil, which, when properly
mingled with the air and ignited, will produce combustion. The atomizer
is located just under the mud-ring and pointed a little upward, so the
stream of oil and spray of steam would strike the opposite wall a few
inches above the bottom if it would pass clear across the fire-box.
13. Q. In starting or closing the throttle of the locomotive, how should
the fireman regulate the fire, in advance or after the action of the
engineer?
A. In starting an oil burning engine the oil should gradually be brought
up as the throttle is opened and the movement and amount of oil should
be kept slightly in advance of the action of the engineer in order to
prevent an inrush of cold air as the engine is working, which would
result in injury to the fire-box and flues. When the throttle is to be
closed, the fire should be reduced very slightly in advance of the
closing of the throttle. This is to prevent the engine from popping off
and black smoke drifting back over the train.
14. Q. Is it necessary that the engineer and fireman on an oil burning
locomotive work in perfect harmony and advise each other of intended
action at every change of conditions?
A. Yes; they should work in harmony with each other on any locomotive.
The fireman should watch every move the engineer makes, and the engineer
should advise the fireman of every intended change of the throttle, so
he can operate his valves accordingly and save fuel and avoid black
smoke.
15. Q. What is the effect of forcing the fire on an oil burning
locomotive?
A. Forcing the fire is very hard on fire-box sheets and flues, and will
cause them to leak. An even temperature should be maintained in the
fire-box of any locomotive.
16. Q. Is a careful regulation of steam and oil valves and dampers
necessary to obtain the most economical results?
A. Yes; the fireman's oil valve should be opened just wide enough to
permit a sufficient amount of oil to be fed to produce a good fire, but
not wide enough to waste oil or produce a volume of black smoke.
17. Q. How can you judge whether the combustion is good or bad, so the
valve may be regulated accordingly?
A. By the color of the fire in the fire-box. When it is a dull red
color, the temperature is below 1,000 degrees and combustion is
incomplete, dense black smoke will issue from the stack. If it is a
bright red, the temperature will be about 1,800 degrees and combustion
very good, and no black smoke will appear from the stack.
18. Q. How should the flues be cleaned from soot when running, and about
how often is this necessary?
A. By placing a small quantity of sand in an elbow shaped funnel or
horn, and by inserting same in an opening provided in fire door while
engine is working hard, allowing the exhaust to draw the sand through
the flues, thus cutting soot and gum from them in its passage and
discharging it from the stack. It is necessary that the flues be cleaned
of soot on leaving terminals or sidings where the engine has been at
rest for any length of time, and also as often as found necessary to aid
the engine in steaming. This depends to a great extent upon the degree
of perfection with which combustion is obtained. Attention should also
be given flues just prior to entering points where engine is to be put
in roundhouse or otherwise detained in order to leave the flues clean,
as this will aid in putting engine under steam with little delay where
the blower alone is to be relied on for draft.
19. Q. Is the injudicious use of the blower particularly injurious on an
oil burning locomotive?
A. Yes; the injudicious use of a blower is injurious to any boiler. The
cold air drawn through the fire-box is hard on the sheets and flues and
will cause them to leak.
20. Q. Is the blower more injurious when a light smoke is emitting from
the stack or when a dense black smoke is emitting?
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.