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 key the
brass against. After keying up, test by moving the wheel to another
position and see if brasses are free on the pin. For the side or
parallel rods, always place the engine on the center for the side that
is to be keyed.
23. Q. How should the side rods on a mogul or consolidation locomotive
be keyed?
A. Place the engine on the center on that side, key up the brass on the
main pin first, work each way toward the ends of the rods, being careful
to keep them the proper length so they do not bind when passing either
center. Be sure that wedges are properly set up before keying the side
rods.