The life of a locomotive boiler depends largely upon the systematic and intelligent attention it receives apd the particular locality in which it is used. The time elapsing between cleanings and washings varies between wide limits with different roads and different localities, depending largely upon the character of the service and water used. The proper blowing out by the engineer in order to prevent undue concentration of material in solution is of much importance. Some roads require this blowing out to be done while running and others at terminal points. The removal of sediment or sludge, such as soft scale, mud, etc., can best be accomplished at terminals after the water has had time to become more quiet.
Much importance is attached to the manner of cooling down and washing out.
When done hurriedly the boiler usually suffers. The following directions for washing and cleaning boilers are abstracted from instructions furnished employes by one of our well-known railroads. Cooling Boiler . Boilers should be thoroughly cooled before being washed. When cooled in the natural way, the steam should be blown off and the water retained above the top of the crown sheet and allowed to stand until the temperature of the steel in the fire-box is reduced to about 90 F., after which time the water may be drawn off and the boiler washed.