Q. How do you ascend a hill with a traction engine?
A. When approaching a hill which you have to climb with a traction
engine, see that about two inches of water shows in the glass gauge
when engine is on a level. Open draft door wide, stir the fire and
get it to burn briskly, and get up a good head of steam. Put reverse
lever in last notch, then open throttle gradually, allowing just the
necessary amount of steam to pass into the cylinder to keep the engine
pulling steadily up the hill. Always start up the hill slowly; do not
attempt to go up a hill at full speed, but go slowly and steadily,
keeping the speed as uniform as possible by opening or closing the
throttle as the case may be. Never attempt to go up a hill on a
decreasing steam pressure, as there is a great liability to become
stalled, in which case great damage may be done to the front end of
flues. Always start on a rising steam pressure; then you know the
boiler is making steam, which assures a steady ascent, as at every
exhaust of the engine on an increasing or steady pressure the power
becomes stronger, while at every exhaust on a decreasing pressure the
power becomes weaker. Keep a uniform supply of water in the boiler at
all times by use of either the pump or injector. Always when going up
hill keep the draft door wide open until the steam gauge indicates that
the pressure has risen almost to the blow-off point, then close the
damper. Never allow steam to blow off when going up hill, as it will
cause the water to raise and be carried over into the cylinder, greatly
diminishing the power of the engine. Do not under any circumstances
allow your engine to be stopped when going either up or down hill, as
great damage may be done to the boiler.