Re: Correct Procedure for blowing down a sightglas

At SVRy, we are taught the same procedure that Mr. Moedinger described. I would go a bit further and say that we are taught that the fireman's first responsibilty when entering the cab is to blow down both glasses. If for some reason the engine is handed off to a different fireman for a run, the new fireman should blowdown the glasses, thus taking nothing for granted. I've seen a few of our engineers blow down the glass on their side of the cab again for their own satisfaction.
One issue that has come up, is that it may be best to minimise the time you are actually blowing steam through the glass with the top valve open, the bottom valve closed and the blowout cock open, as the heat from pure steam blowing through seems to deteriate the gaskets on the reflex glass pretty quickly. It only takes a couple seconds to confirm the top opening is free of restriction.