A. Yes; by changing position of the dividing rib located in the transfer hopper, and by moving the regulating lever to either side.

11.  Q. Should the sliding plates at the bottom of the tank be closed before coal is put on tank?

A. Yes, so that screw conveyor will not become clogged and inoperative.  Only one slide should be opened at a time and coal fed from tank as required.

12.  Q. In case the stoker becomes clogged or it is desired to reverse it for any reason, what must be done?

A. The operating rod located on the back-head of the locomotive boiler—­if the piston is making a power stroke—­should be moved to its lower position, and if the piston is making a return stroke, it should be moved to its upper position.  This moves a small valve in the auxiliary head, bolted to reverse head, and steam is admitted to opposite head of cylinder, causing the piston to change its direction.  The return of the operating rod handle to a central position causes the driving engine to resume its normal operation.

13.  Q. How can the fireman observe the condition of fire in fire-box?

A. The elbows are provided with peep valves with swinging covers through which the coal supply and condition of fire may be seen.

14.  Q. Why are two gauges necessary?

[Illustration]

A. The driving engine gauge on the left indicates the pressure of steam used by the driving engine.  The one on the right has two indicators, the red indicator showing the steam pressure on the jet in left elbow, and the black indicator showing the pressure on the jet in the right elbow.

15.  Q. When train is standing on siding for a short period, what should be done?

A. Shut stoker off by throwing operating rod on back head of locomotive boiler out of running position.

16.  Q. When train is to stand for a long time or engine is left at terminal, what should be done?

A. The driving engine should be cut out entirely by closing main steam line inlet and main lubricator connection, and in winter time all drain cocks should be opened.

17.  Q. If sufficient coal can not be supplied over front grates, what may be the cause?

A. Distributors may be warped and point too low, or steam jets may be plugged with pipe scale and not blowing freely.

18.  Q. How would you start and operate stoker?

A. First open main valve No. 1 at steam turret.  Valve 2 is then opened; this is the main valve in stoker steam line.  Next open valve 3, which allows the steam to flow to the distributor jet line; open valves 4 and 5, which govern the pressure on the jets until ten pound pressure shows on the right-hand gauge.  See valve 8 to the exhaust line is open, and valve 9 to the transfer hopper is closed.

19.  Q. How would you start the stoker engine?

A. Place operating lever 10 in horizontal or running position.  Place conveyor reversing lever 12 in forward position.  Open valve 6, which allows the steam to pass to the operating valve and starts stoker running.  Valve 7 is to be used as an emergency valve only in case of clogging.  Stoker should be run slowly at first.  Do not feed too much coal and carry a light fire.