Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1884-10-08

Running q Locomotive.

10 a mali Who knows as little about
a locomotive as the ordinary run of
people, and who understands few of its
needs and requirements, and how the
mind and body of the engineer must be
exerted to meet them, there Is nothing
about running an engine that looks diff
iicult, but there are those who have
been in the business for years, and who
are still not the right men for the posi-
ton. 1t not only requires man of pc
cullar ability, but one also must be of a
certain temperament. | didn't use TO
think SO years ago, but the idea has
grown stronger with me of late."
These remarks were made by loco
motive engineer to a reporter recently,
as the former leaned up against the
side of his iron steed, which was breath
ing so loudly that the voice of its mas
ter had to be raised considerably to be
plainly heard.
IA nervous man should never be in
trusted with the care of an engine and
with the lives of human beings and
property under his keeping" continued
the driver, land man who IS liable to
ny OFF the handle at any moment, or
IS careless or neglectful of the machi-
merry, could not be placed in situation
more dangerous to the lives of travel
ers, unless he might be professional
train-wrecker or drunken switchman.
Half of the care and responsibility of
an engineer is In the engine itself
looking after it and closely examining
weak points at every opportunity.
Strong as it may seem, there are por-
tions of the mechanicIsm of locomO-
tive that are as delicate and fraii and
easy of disarrangement as those of many
timely constructed stationary machines.
In this class of engine it is necessary to
compress all the machinery INTO the
closest bulk, and the result is not ad-
yantageouS to one who has charge of
it.n
docs an engine get out of order fire.
quently?"
MANY of them do, and others will
run long time without repairs. A
skilled engineer knows by the feel of
an engine whether there is anything the
matter with it or not, and a man must
always be watchful of these things if he
does not want the locomotive to 60 to
smash on short notice. Another thing,
when there is starting of flues, leak
age of pipes, loose packing, or a heated
Journal, one has to make haste to stop
the mischief, or time will probably be
lost, and the fear of loss OF time is a
source of worriment to the
engineer"
Referring to other matters that re-
quire the vigilance and care of the
driver of the iron horse, the speaker
said: "On freight trains a skillful hand
IS often required In switching cars and
similar work, and, although the life of
a freight engineer is slow and easy
one beside that of man in the cab of
an express-engine, still there is grave
attached to the former.
How often is the killing ola brakeman.
who is knocked down by sudden and
une Spected starting up of the train or
9TH. similar accident, laid at the door
Of the locomotive engineer often, L
may say, with good cause,-though
such accidents are generally the result
Of pure careleSsneSs?"
The difference between engines, even
Of the same pattern and maker, was
spoken of, and the kind OF locomotive
most in favor with engineers was de-
Scribed. To be strictly first-claSs and
an engine must be capable
1f picking up train in good style
hat is, getting under full headway in Il
short distance. A rather slow and
engine is of course, pre-
ierable to an unsteady and jerky one,
which can not be depended on for a
great number of miles.
The promptitude of an engineer in !
observing signals of different kinds is |
considered valuable quality, and these |
With the many other duties of every |
lay life, must be attended to without |
my show of negligence, if driver is |
leSirous of lnSuring his reputation. |
Train orders must he read with great |
ARE and their instructions carefully |
ollowed, and it is here, more than at
my other point that the drunken engi-
leer is liable TO commit an error, which
hough small in itself. may lead to most
disastrous results. Bad spots on the
'oad must be looked out for, time-cards |
must be rIgidly followed, steam must
)e kept up. crossings and whistle-postS
must be noticed, and above all, the |
rack ahead requires close attention, as
he eyes must not leave it more than
ew seconds at time.
"a competent fireman." said the
lriver, is great blessing to an engi-
leer, and may relieve him of consider
Ible of that continual strain on the
lervous system which most of us are
obliged to undergo, but lazy fellow,
,areleSS man, or green hand must be
,laced in the Category of the ills of the
ife, and big item it is, too"
"How long do engines generally run
,efore being discarded as useless?"
'Well, their average life may be
,laced at about p years. counting big
accidents and all. On the plains. where
Ilkali water Is used, repairs of tubes
md other portions of the mechanism
re more frequently required than in
california, though, rs an offset to this,
nay be placed the dangers to the fine
encountered in the snow on
he Sierra. AS general thing, repairs
re needed on an engine once in about
tx months OF use. Fire-boxes and
'ollers last about seven years without
epair, the axles and cranks six years,
nd the boiler-tubes five.
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