How to Run a Steam Locomotive

Steam locomotive uses steam to run the engine.

A steam locomotive runs using water and coal. Coal was a main fuel during the industrial revolution as the gasoline engine had yet to be invented. Coal is burned to heat up water and produce steam. The steam then pushes the pistons in the engine. The locomotive is controlled using a number of levers. These levers control how much steam and air is let into the engine. Most of the work driving the train consists of getting it started as once it is traveling at speed you do not have to worry about adjusting the levers much.

Instructions

1. Light the coal in the boiler room. Heat is needed to produce enough steam to run the engine. Always ensure that there is coal burning. Normally there is one person responsible for keeping the boiler working properly, which includes shoveling coal.

2. Push the Johnson bar forward. This is the very large lever that originates near the floor and comes up to about waist height. Squeeze the handle and push the level all the way forward. Let go of the handle to lock the lever into place.

3. Find the cylinder cocks and open them. These can be opened by turning a valve on the boiler. Alternatively some steam locomotives will control the cylinder cocks by a lever on the floor. Pull the lever back to open the cocks or turn the valve as far as it can go in a clockwise direction.

4. Locate the headlight control found on the ceiling. Slide the knob on the side of the box to the front of the box. This will turn on the headlight so you can see where you are going.

5. Pull down on the whistle cable to signal those around you that the locomotive is about to move. Let out two short blasts on the whistle.

6. Move the top level found by the left hand from the right to the left. This releases the engine brakes.

7. Grip the throttle lever very firmly and pull towards you. The throttle lever is a long lever located directly in front of you when standing in the driver's position. As the train starts to move, you want to release the lever back towards its starting position to control the speed of the locomotive. If you leave the throttle open, the train will speed up very fast. As the locomotive reaches its traveling speed, release the throttle lever until it is almost closed. This will maintain a constant speed.

References

• Explain that Stuff: Steam Engines
• The Engine Driver's Manual: How to Prepare, Fire and Drive a Steam Locomotive: Brian Topping: November 1999