Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-26
RELIABLE ENGINEERS.
How Locomotives Are Kept In q
Good Conditions.
Daily Work of the Masters of the Machines
Requirements for Passenger and
Freight Service-Work That Re-
quires "a Steady Head.

Few people among the thousands that
daily come into Boston over the various
railroads give thought 10 the men who sit
IN the cab of the locomotive, and, with clear
eye, steady hand and strong nerve, control
the powerful steed that draws them so
safely day after day, says the Boston Herald.
The conductor goes his rounds, collects his
fares, and receives u smile or pleasant
word from the passengers; the brakemen
comPosedly walk into the car, announce the
names of the stations, assist the ladies and
children to enter or leave the train and re-
ceiye now and then a nod of recognition;
but the men in the cab are scarcely noticed,
though some of the older ones do receive,
once in a great while, some token that few
of the thousands that pass by are not utterly
unmindful of their existence While tho
brakemen have duties to perform that tend
to the comfort of the passengers, and while
the conductor has the general supervision Of
the train, and is expected TO look out for the
well-being of all his charge, yet to the men
in the cab of the locomotive are due the
life and safety Of all on board the
train. tremendous responsibility rests
upon them, and 50 great is the mental
STRAIN upon the engineers that run
the fast express trains they are seldom
allowded to run more than two days in sue
ccssion, and on some roads four days is re-
garded a good weeks work. But this men
tai strain is not the only thing that wears
on an engineer Any person who has ever
had the privilege of riding on a locomotive
discovers that the cushioned seat OF first
class passenger car IS a much more COM
Portable place, for the whole vast machine
trembles and shakes IS though in
stiuct with life This constant vibration
CT the engine is sure 10 work misc hief,
sooner Or Later with the strongest constitu-
ton, and after few years the engineer dis
covers that he IS suffering from kidney
disease, and many are the instances
where engineers have found it absolutely
necessary to give up their employment
The work Of engineers varies Oh different
roads. In some cases the men are gwen
their engines all ready for the road, while in
other cases the engineers are required 20
feed and groom their own horses In the
latter case the engineer goes to the round
house TWO or three hours before 1t is time
for his train TO start, and. with his fireman,
e closely inspects the machine. he sounds
Il le wheels on the engine and tender, and
ell amines closely the entire running gear.
IA looks after the sand-box, and sees TO IL
1
are on hand, the dozen or more oil cups are
fiIlei; a fun supply Of coal Is obtained; the
Iyaae 7 in the boiler and tank Is sounded aud
if 10 cessary, more IS taken; the aIr-brakes
are tested both before and after the engine
is ataa ched to the train, II II is passenger
engine, and, in fact, every part Of the com
rJjcaHei machinery Is thoroughly looked
over. An this work. while Of the utmost
iulpor "a nee, is but preliminary TO the real
work Il the engineer. When the locomo-
tive is al last attached TO the train, and the
signal q ,Tivsn 10 start, the enEnoer's eye,
brain AID nerve are called into actual work
with one hand on the throttle he keeps one
eve straip. 1t ahead, watching the track for
broken ra. s. fallen freight, piled up ties,
rocks or bs Wider that may have rolled down
from the na 2hboviLg bar Ks, yashoutsor a1y
other obsf7- actIons; he must notice every
switch and stationary signal and look Gut
for any ten porary ones. be muss Keep
watch q tive water ARD steam gauges, 20
zee that the boiler does net get dry, and
see that he la : an abundance Of steam Tor
the vrorg res-. ired OF his engine. With a
clear dav arssl q straight track one wou q
think tie ergia eer had enough respons.bs.-
it- z, tr- him . the utUost, but when The
thick fog se+tI "a down 20 tast ns can scarce
see The length a has engine and the TRAIN
swings round 3 cure where the slightest
c,,s.rz,cs5c- v7oe. b } send II crashing down
s-eep ernbarkrr r 4 or perchsucs PIE y Up
araiusf sovac roc II elf. II would b strange