Re: Real boiler pressure and its impact on t.e. and operations

With a good steaming engine working hard and the fire properly set, hitting a light spot, or spots, that need coal produces a very rapid response. The coal ignites instantly and produces a noticeable change in pressure within a minute or less. The key to good firing is, as Earl pointed out, firing consistently, and evenly a few scoops at a time. The fireman cannot wait to see the pressure start to drop or it is already too late to add coal. You must anticipate when to add more before it is apparent that it is necessary. Learning the timing and rhythm comes with experience.

Additionally, you have to be able to do this essentially blind. When opening the door on a hard working engine you are confronted with a solid wall of flame. With experience you can discern lighter or darker spots within the flame that tells you the condition of the fire bed. You just have to know where to put the coal each time you open the fire door without even looking.