MOTIVE POWER AND ROLLING STOCK 349 
FUEL FOR LOCOMOTIVES 
The fuel used on logging locomotives may be wood, coal, or 
crude petroleum. 
Wood is frequently used in regions where coal and fuel oil 
are expensive, however, it has several disadvantages. 
(1) There is danger from forest fires during the dry season 
because sparks are thrown for long distances. A high per cent 
of the forest fires on logging operations start along the railroad. 
(2) There is a large bulk of material to be handled. It 
requires twice the amount of wood as compared to average 
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 much time daily in taking on wood which 
involves a time loss both for the train crew and the 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 tubes 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, es- 
pecially on steep 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 is preferred when 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 : 
(1) 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 rvm 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 
