MOTIVE POWER AND ROLLING STOCK 313 



bituminous coal to secure equal steaming results, and the space 

 occupied by the fuel on the tender is about five times as great. 

 Train crews spend too much time daily in taking on wood which 

 involves loss both for the train crew and locomotive. 



(3) When pitchy woods are used it is impossible to maintain 

 an even heat, because the resinous matters are driven off first 

 and the burning gas creates an intense heat for a short period, 

 but before the wood has been consumed sufficiently to permit a 

 new supply to be fed into the fire box, the temperature falls 

 markedly. This alternate rising and falling of temperature 

 causes a constant contraction and expansion of the fire box and 

 tube metal and the latter soon become leaky. 



(4) A skillful fireman is required to handle a wood fire so that 

 a sufficient amount of steam may be available at all times, 

 especially on heavy grades. 



Bituminous coal is preferred to wood on logging roads where 

 it can be secured at a reasonable price, although it is fully as 

 dangerous from the standpoint of forest fires. It is greatly 

 preferred by firemen because the labor is not so exhausting and 

 a more even fire can be maintained. 



Fuel oil has met with much favor where it can be secured at 

 a cost not greatly in excess of other kinds of fuel. 



It has the following advantages over wood and coal: 



(i) The danger from forest fires is eliminated. 



(2) The cost of handling is reduced to a minimum, because 

 the oil may be pumped into the storage tanks on the tender and 

 a sufficient supply carried to run for at least one-half day. The 

 added time saved in taking on fuel as compared to wood is an 

 important item during the course of a month. It is easier to 

 transport oil in supply tanks than it is to handle an equal fuel 

 value in wood or coal. 



(3) A saving in fuel and water is effected on heavy grades 

 and the hauling ability increased because the steam pressure 

 can be held at a desired point by increasing the oil feed under 

 the boilers. It is not possible to do this with wood or coal, since 

 merely opening and closing the fire box has a marked eft"ect on 

 the efficiency of the locomotive under strained conditions. 



