. Railway mechanical engineer . saving in fuel and more efficient locomo-tive operation. Defects Shown by Low Pyrometer Readings Where pyrometers are being used, many enginemen dependmore completely upon their indications than upon the steamgages. When a locomotive is working under average condi-tions, and a perceptible drop in steam temperature is noted,some of the following defects either in the operation or thecondition of the locomotive may be looked for. First—The water level in the boiler may be too high,causing priming. The superheater then has to evaporate thewater in the steam and con
. Railway mechanical engineer . saving in fuel and more efficient locomo-tive operation. Defects Shown by Low Pyrometer Readings Where pyrometers are being used, many enginemen dependmore completely upon their indications than upon the steamgages. When a locomotive is working under average condi-tions, and a perceptible drop in steam temperature is noted,some of the following defects either in the operation or thecondition of the locomotive may be looked for. First—The water level in the boiler may be too high,causing priming. The superheater then has to evaporate thewater in the steam and consequently the final temperatureof the steam is reduced. Second—The fire may not be in a proper condition, too heavy or too light firing. Either condition will reducethe firebox temperature and consequently the final tempera-ture of the steam. Third—A portion, or all, of the large boiler flues may bestopped up. Fourth—Air or steam leaks may be present in the frontend, a condition which seriously affects the View Showing Steam Fixture in Steam Pipe and Connection toCab Through Handrail Fifth—The damper may not operate properly and inter-fere with the passage of gases through the flues. Any one. or any combination of these defects will cause areduction in steam temperature which is immediately indi-cated by the pyrometer. The first two of these conditions can be prevented or cor-rected by the enginemen; the last three should be reportedfor attention at the terminal. Prompt attention to these con-ditions will save hundreds of thousands of dollars for therailroads, not only in fuel, but in eliminating delays andpreventing minor repairs from becoming costly. Advantagesresulting from the use of pyrometers would seem to warrantthe general application of these instruments to all super-heated locomotives. 433 434 RAILWAY MECHANICAL ENGINEER Vol. K, No. 7 Suggestions for Improvements in Locomotives BY JOHN MITCHELL The average railroad man usually has some suggest
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