Running The Locomotive; Driving Manually - roundhouse WILLIAM Owner's Handbook Manual

RUNNING THE LOCOMOTIVE

When full working pressure has been reached (about 40psi), the safety valve
will start to blow off steam. Steam generation can be controlled by the gas
valve in the cab. If the safety valve blows off frequently during running, then
too much steam is being produced, which wastes water and gas. Turning
down the burner will decrease the amount of steam created. Conversely, if
steam pressure is not maintained during a run, then the burner should be
turned up. After a few minutes of running it may be noticed that the gas
pressure through the burner has increased. This is due to the gas tank
becoming warmer and so increasing the gas pressure. Simply turn the gas
down – this may need to be performed several times during a run. The art of
balancing steam generation to the operational requirement by the adjustment
of the gas control valve will quickly be learned.
The gas tank has a duration of about 25 minutes, though this will vary a little
depending on gas valve setting. The boiler should not be allowed to run dry,
and the gas tank capacity is such that the gas should run out before the water.
When the gas is fully used up, the steam pressure in the boiler will be seen to
gradually drop until the loco comes to a halt. Should the water expire before
the gas is fully used, the pressure will drop rapidly and the loco will stop.
Check the pressure gauge – if this is zero turn off the gas. No damage will
result if the gas is turned off immediately.
DRIVING THE LOCOMOTIVE MANUALLY
On manually controlled locomotives, there are three main controls, all of
which are housed in the cab.
1) The gas regulator, which should be used to control steam generation as
described earlier.
2) The reversing lever. This is in the left-hand side of the cab and is moved
fully forward for running in a forward direction and full back to run in the
reverse direction. It should be parked in the centre (mid gear) when the
locomotive is stationary for any length of time. When in mid gear position,
the valve gear is effectively in neutral and the engine will not move under
steam power.
3) The regulator. This is the main steam control valve and regulates the speed
at which the engine will run. The regulator handle is situated in the right hand
cab doorway and is moved anti-clockwise to open and clockwise to close.
Using the reversing lever, select the desired direction of travel and open the
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