The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1911-01-12


AIT\M looked upon as trades, the
MIN@ one that probably comes
SSW nearest to deserving the
W. dignity of being called a
profession is that of loco
motive engineer. Formerly this was,
like carpentry and mechanics and
other manual occupations, little more
than trade; but the complexities and
importance of railroad transportation
have become SO great as gradually to
have elaborated the training of the
engineman until they are considered
competent to run a train only after
years Of hard work and scientific
study.
So, when your boy manifests symp-
toms Of wishing to be a locomotive en-
Eineer, It may not be wise to dissuade
him on the ground that he would be
learning trade. He is sure to look
admlringly and longingly at the man
beside the throttle; almost every i'm
aginative youngster does. If this at
traction Is more than aeeting, then
probably he is aspiring to an honor
able occupation which may give him
opportunity to reach the highest
places in the great business cf rail-
reading.
The logical place for your son to
make his beginning is as fireman,
where he is to serve his three years.
apprenticeship. The preliminary re-
quirements ARE an ordinary common
school education, good physical condi-
ton, especially in eyesight and hear
Ing, and, of course, good habits. "Hav.
ing these qualifications" to quote
from railroad bulletin, advancement
will come to those who are consci-
entious in the discharge of their du-
ties and who devote some Of their
leisure hours to study"
As soon as your boy is employed as
fireman he is on the same technical
basis as the oldest and most expert
enced fireman on the system; for the
pay is the same, $2.75 for every hun
dred miles travelled, reckoning a hun
dred miles as days work.
This does not mean that he will be
assigned to fast express or even any
passenger trains. Newcomers are put
on the extra list, which means that
they will be employed only half time
or less, according to traffic demands
and the supply of firemen. Trainmen
are promoted and considered strictly
on seniority basis, with, of course,
regard for efficiency, the oldest men
in the service, If competent, being
given the choicest and most remunera-
tive runs
When your boy is employed first as
fireman, he will be given list of
questions on which he will be ex-
amined at the end of the first year.
Ihis is rigid custom on a famous
eastern railroad and Is generally fol-
lowed by railroads throughout the
country:
Explain the principle of the steam
gauge. What Is the source of power
In a steam locomotive? About what
quantity of water should be evapora-
ted In locomotive boiler to pound
of coal? What is steam and how is it
generated? What Is combustion?
What is the composition of bitumin.
GUS coal? In what condition should
the fire be in order that the best re-
suits may be obtained from the COM
bustion of the coal? How should the
fire and water be managed in starting
from the station? What is the pur-
pose Of a safety valve? When and
whv sh0111d Won wat the coal In tina
tender? And many other questions
covering a wide range of knowledge
of the fuel used in locomotives and
the care of the engine itself Also he
must explain what should be done in
wide range of emergencies and acct
dents.
BY the end of the first year, If your
boy has done his best to acquire
knowledge, he should be working
pretty regularly ~on freight engines
and earning probably as much as $50
or $50 month, and, If he passed his
examination, he will be doing fairly
well from then on, by the end of the
second year increasing his monthly
earnings to SIS or so which will prob
ably grow to 800 or 800 soon after
ward. At the end of the third year he
has completed his course, and after
passing a particularly rigid examine
tion Is given q certificate of engineer
ing. This other examination IS along
the line of the first, except that 1t Is
more advanced and carried out In
oroo}ev dol oil II olso iucluInc oov,.