HANDLING THE ENGINE 63 



Descending Hills. Important as it is to ascend the 

 hill 'without stopping, it is doubly important in descending 

 to reach level ground before stopping. Every man in 

 charge of a boiler of the locomotive type should know the 

 danger of stopping with the front end low. In descend- 

 ing a very steep hill leave the throttle partly open to admit 

 a little steam and if the engine runs too fast control the 

 speed with reverse lever. 



Gravel Hills. In going up steep gravel hills there is 

 danger of breaking through the surface crust, thereby 

 letting the traction wheels into the soft gravel, which they 

 will push out from under them, simply digging holes in- 

 stead of propelling the engine. When this occurs, stop 

 at once, before the engine buries itself. Block the wheels 

 of the separator, or other load behind the engine and un- 

 couple and it will probably move out all right. If it does 

 not, put cordwood sticks in front of the traction wheels 

 so that the grouters will catch. Another method is to 

 hitch a team and start the team and engine together. 



Mud Holes. The statements regarding gravel hills 

 apply in general to soft mud holes. Stop the engine when 

 the wheels slip, and put straw, brush, stones, sticks or any- 

 thing else that may be handy in front of the wheels so that 

 the grouters can take hold of something. When the en- 

 gine is on a "greasy" road where the wheels slip without 

 digging much, get a couple of men to help roll the front 

 wheels and you will be surprised how much good this does. 



