Re: Volatiles & time.

A fireman on a hand fired, coal burning locomotive is going to get a serious workout anytime the locomotive is working hard. A fireman on an oil fired locomotive essentially operates handles and valves to match the steam needs of the locomotive.
As previously mentioned, a coal fireman must anticipate when more heat will be needed and act accordingly by adding more coal in advance of the locomotive needing the steam produced by a hotter fire. An oil burning fireman must know the locomotive and engineer's needs and act quickly to compensate for any changes in the operation of the locomotive.
Coal take a little time to begin burning and producing maximum BTU's. Oil fires can produce greater BTU's in a matter of seconds.