Steam & Excursion > Steam Locomotive Operating Manuals ??

On eBay and elsewhere there occasionally pops up GE, ALCO, or GM-EMD diesel operating manuals for various types units. I've never seen, but wondered, if there were the likes for steam locomotives, such as, the UP 4-8-4 series similar to the ALCO UP 844 or the Rock Island ALCO 5000 or 5100 series. The 5100's were last produced in 1946 when the diesel units were either already active or becoming active and in this era I imagine there was some type manual(s) for the various appliances and operations concerning the steam loco. Possibly this was in the form of a ringed notebook covering the various aspects for the engineer and fireman. I would see the same for shop forces and servicing personnel. In addition, if such manuals/notebooks existed, I can imagine mostly classroom instruction as well as hands-on covered the majority of training for all personnel wherever involved.

Just wondering from the old-timers what the practice was on the UP and the RI as well as any other lines.

rrman6 Wrote:
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> On eBay and elsewhere there occasionally pops up
> GE, ALCO, or GM-EMD diesel operating manuals for
> various types units. I've never seen, but
> wondered, if there were the likes for steam
> locomotives, such as, the UP 4-8-4 series similar
> to the ALCO UP 844 or the Rock Island ALCO 5000 or
> 5100 series. The 5100's were last produced in
> 1946 when the diesel units were either already
> active or becoming active and in this era I
> imagine there was some type manual(s) for the
> various appliances and operations concerning the
> steam loco. Possibly this was in the form of a
> ringed notebook covering the various aspects for
> the engineer and fireman. I would see the same
> for shop forces and servicing personnel. In
> addition, if such manuals/notebooks existed, I can
> imagine mostly classroom instruction as well as
> hands-on covered the majority of training for all
> personnel wherever involved.
>
> Just wondering from the old-timers what the
> practice was on the UP and the RI as well as any
> other lines.

In a word, There was no such thing as a steam locomotive
operators manual. There was next to no classroom training;
it was all OJT, with the possible exception of air brakes
(many roads had air brake instruction cars).

In fact, there wasn't THAT much training on diesels, until
the '80s and later.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/26/17 20:18 by Realist.

Southern Pacific put out a small book with a title something like "Instructions for the Firing and Handling of Engines." I have one in my collection. Santa Fe also put out an excellent book on engine handling and a separate one on air brakes. I do not know the specific title but I also have several pairs of those in my collection. The Santa Fe also put out what was more or less a compilation of operating manuals of the Diesels in their fleet at the time. I'm guessing it covered up to the mid-1950's.

Also, many of the technical and correspondence schools like ICS and others published books and study courses that students could take. They were not railroad specific.

Hope this helps,

Have fun, be safe,
Bruce "Doc" Jones Sierra Madre CA

The Reading Company had a decent manual on firing as well. World War II I believe, I have a photo copy somewhere. Again, that was one company at one period in time, but if you ever see it, spend the $$$. Its worth it.

Probably the closest thing to what you are referring to would be the Santa Fe Form 2500: "Instructions for Enginemen Governing the Care, Maintenance and Economical Operation of the Steam Locomotive"

I have a Pennsylvania RR book on firing and operating a steam Locomotive so they were published.

The Florida East Coast Railway had a collection of locomotive appliances (injectors, lubricators,
oil burner, etc.) that were cut in half to show their interiors for training purposes. Some of these
are on display at the Gold Coast Railroad Museum in Miami.

Here is a scanned copy of a Locomotive Firing manual from 1944:

http://www.railarchive.net/firing/cover.htm

It is my understanding that during World War II, there was a shortage of qualified firemen due to the war effort, and it became necessary to develop training programs. I've read through it in the past, and it is very interesting.

Scott Griggs
Louisville, KY

Not to mention that "OJT" from the left side to right side was measured in years, not months, not days, no today
I'm a conductor, tomorrow I'm an engineer as is popular today.

Out

CZ10 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The Florida East Coast Railway had a collection of
> locomotive appliances (injectors, lubricators,
> oil burner, etc.) that were cut in half to show
> their interiors for training purposes. Some of
> these
> are on display at the Gold Coast Railroad Museum
> in Miami.

That's cool.

Manuals for appliances can be interesting. I particularly like ones for feedwater heaters and stokers.

There was also something like this, "I always wanted to be an en-gun-eer. Today I are one."


Nudge

Early on the most common source for learning about steam locomotive characteristics and operation was the Catechism.

I obtained a first edition of Forney's Catechism of the Locomotive (1875) in 1968 at an antique show where Bill Oden and I had our 1891 Porter on display.

I later found a copy of volume 2 of Forney's 3d edition (1911)

My third catechism is a reprint of Robert Grimshaw's Locomotive Catechism (1908)

All three volumes provide considerable insight into steam locomotive theory, design, construction and operation.

I highly recommend their use.

There is such an animal, published by your U.S. government!

TL

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This has always been my favorite chapter of every Technical Manual!

TL

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Excellent resource here...for Coal Burners..

http://www.railarchive.com/firing/p003.htm

You can down load the book from the site.
I printed one out.

It's an excellent read and very accurate.

Let me know your comments,
Wes Camp

Basic Steam Locomotive Maintenance, by D. C. Buell, founder of the Railway Educational Bureau, published by Simmons-Boardman, has a good section on firing. Not much on running, but full of great information on how everything works on a steam locomotive. If I remember correctly, some of those above that were issued by the NY State educational system were done for the NY Central.

This was done during World War 2 and has a very New York Central look to it. http://www.railarchive.net/firing/cover.htm The whole book can be found at that link and is quite interesting and informative.

Roger Holmes

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