The Navy's boilers were hand fired for some time. ( way before my time) A lot of skill and knowledge was needed to balance air, water, and coal. Another lost art. Good post, thank you.
The old timers at Old Threshers taught me to throw one to each corner, bounce a shovelful off the front sheet, and to hit any dark spot. I never fired an engine that was working hard, and that takes more skill than firing an engine in a parade. The big rule there was to not stoke the fire before you went by the grandstand.
We took friends to the Thresherman's Reunion at Pennsylvania's Rough and Tumble Museum. Next time they will not be wearing anything white. The house in Philly I grew up in was near the PA railroad and the the family spoke of having to rewash clothing that had been hung outside. The waning days of steam were during my life, but I was too young to remember.
The Navy's boilers were hand fired for some time. ( way before my time)
ReplyDeleteA lot of skill and knowledge was needed to balance air, water, and coal.
Another lost art.
Good post, thank you.
The old timers at Old Threshers taught me to throw one to each corner, bounce a shovelful off the front sheet, and to hit any dark spot. I never fired an engine that was working hard, and that takes more skill than firing an engine in a parade. The big rule there was to not stoke the fire before you went by the grandstand.
ReplyDeleteThere's a lot more to it than I ever expected. Thanks for the education.
ReplyDeleteMerle
We took friends to the Thresherman's Reunion at Pennsylvania's Rough and Tumble Museum.
ReplyDeleteNext time they will not be wearing anything white. The house in Philly I grew up in was near the PA railroad and the the family spoke of having to rewash clothing that had been hung outside.
The waning days of steam were during my life, but I was too young to remember.