LOCOMOTIVE REGISTER. 



are single, rendering the engine light, so as to absorb less of the 

 moving power in propelling itself ; in the other, they are double 

 and coupled, and sometimes even tripled, so as to give a greater 

 purchase to the impelling power. In the one class of engine 

 steam of small density is consumed rapidly and in great volume ; in. 

 the other, steam of greater density is consumed at a slower rate. 



These different mechanical requirements render it necessary, in 

 general, to provide a locomotive stock for the goods service, separate 

 from, and independent of, that provided for the passenger service. 



25. In the locomotive department a register should be kept con- 

 taining a record of the past and current performances and condi- 

 tion of every engine in the service of the railway. Such a record 

 should contain the following particulars of the past services of each 

 engine : 



1st. The day and year it was put upon the road. 



2nd. Its maker. 



3rd. The diameter and stroke of its cylinders. 



4th. The diameter and number of its driving-wheels. 



5th. The number of times it was cleaned, lighted, and had 

 steam raised. 



6th. The number of hours it was standing with steam raised. 



7th. Its total mileage, from the commencement of its service to 

 the current date. 



8th. The total quantity of fuel it had consumed. 



9th. Original cost of engine. 



10th. Total sum expended on its repairs. 



And, with respect to its current service during the past year, 

 the following details should be given : 



1st. The number of times it was lighted, and had steam raised. 



2nd. The number of hours it stood with steam raised. 



3rd. Its mileage by months, and its total mileage. 

 , 4th. The quantity of fuel consumed in lighting and raising 

 steam. 



5th. The quantity of fuel consumed in standing. 



6th. The quantity of fuel consumed in working. 



7th, A memorandum of any accident, or other notable circum- 

 stance, attending the performance of the engine. 



Such a record as the above is neither impracticable nor unim- 

 portant. A register of this kind is kept by the administration of 

 the Belgian railways, and the principal results of it are published 

 annually, in a tabulated form, in the " Compte Rendu," or official 

 report of the service of the railways, delivered to the Chambers 

 by the Minister of Public Works every session. Such a table ex- 

 hibits a " coup d'ceil " of the condition and the past history of the 

 entire locomotive stock. 



135 



