OPINIONS ON OIL FUEL 161 



Carbonaceous matter is formed on side sheets when burner is out of alignment, 



Ean leaking air between brick-work and boiler sheets, and any obstruction between 

 umer and wall of fire-box. This may be later carried through the stack by the ex- 

 haust steam and is liable to cause fire. 



The throwing of pieces of waste or other inflammable material on deck of en- 

 gines, where it wiU be carried into the firebox through the fire door, is liable to set 

 fires. Sand should be carefully examined for bits of charcoal, sticks, sea-weed and 

 other inflammable material. Enginemen must report condition of same at any 

 point if found to contain any inflammable matter. 



9. Improper Sanding. — The engine should be well sanded in going from 

 roundhouse to train, where practicable ; and again in pulling out of stations. This 

 is very important, as engines are Mable to be smoked up m starting the fire and around 

 terminals. Keep on sanding as long as quantities of black smoke follow the act of 

 sanding, giving the scoop a lateral motion in order to clean the side flues as well as 

 those in centre. 



Care should be taken by firemen in sanding flues that only such amount is 

 used as may be necessary to remove the soot. This should be done on road when 

 the engine is working hard enough to draw the sand through the flues. Engineers 

 should take pains to give the valves sufficient travel, and open the throttle far 

 enough so that the exhaust wiU carry the sand through the flues and do the work 

 for which it is intended. 



Enginemen must use judgment to avoid sanding and possible throwing out of 

 burning soot from stack, at places where inflammable material is adjacent to track. 



12. Enginemen must also remove material used for starting fire, as it 

 may be drawn through the stack by force of exhaust steam, and is liable to set fire. 

 Too much attention cannot be given to this rule. 



16. Proper Roundhouse Inspection of Oil-Biu:ning Locomotives. — On arrival 

 of oil-burning locomotives at roundhouses, thorough inspection of the brickwork 

 should be made, especially seeing that the bottom of the firebox is free from any ob- 

 struction of brick or carbonization. 



See that joints between the pan that carries brick work and fire-box are absolute- 

 ly air-tight. 



Bafflers to be in good condition and properly adjusted. 



Burners to be kept thoroughly clean. 



Flame from burner should be spread centrally. 



Smoke-boxes should be absolutely air-tight. 



Steam pipes and petticoat pipes should be examined thoroughly. 



Flues imder burner should be cleaned out thoroughly. 



No lost motion should be allowed in firing device. 



Sand in sand-box used for sanding flues should be fine sand, thoroughly screened, 

 dry and free from foreign materials. 



From"Don'ts." 



In view of the fact that fuel oil is used exclusively on this system, it is desirable 

 that all concerned become thoroughly familiar with the apparatus pertaining to 

 oil-burning locomotives, to the end that slight defects may be promptly remedied 

 and success in its use assured. 



E. T. Allen, Forester for Western Forestry and Conservation Assoc- 

 iation. — From what I have heard, I should say that the risk does not 

 demand patrol. Moreover, that if escape from patrol expense can be 

 offered companies in return for converting to oil it woidd tend to 

 safety, more than leading them to believe that, whether or not they 

 bum oil they must still patrol. I have heard the theory of super- 

 heated waste products before, but always felt like attributing it to a 

 desire to belittle the oil fuel movement. 



Esquimau and Nanaimo Railway Co. — The fuel oil in use by the 

 E. & N. Railway is delivered by the Union Oil Co., of California into 

 our oil tank at Esquimalt at 77c. per barrel of 42 U. S. gallons. 



