We all know approximately how much time it takes to get the car ready for departure. You can guess about a diesel locomotive and estimate it by eye.
But the steam locomotive? How long does it take to melt a locomotive from scratch and be ready to move?
First of all, the locomotive crew completely inspects the locomotive, all components and assemblies, for the absence of cracks, leaks, creases and other mechanical defects in them. The inspection can take about one hour.
Based on the results of the inspection, the driver makes entries in the repair log, after which a team of locksmiths eliminates all newly identified deficiencies. All moving parts are thoroughly lubricated and all grease nipples are filled.
After that, the boiler of the steam locomotive is filled with water to the required level, coal is poured in the firebox and laid on top with firewood.
Since the depot does not have a smoke exhaust system, the locomotive needs to be rolled out into the street. In the meantime, more than 4 hours have passed.
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In our case, the TGK2 truck is used for this.
Moments of jewelry work.
The moment of “throwing the match” has come. For lighting, a rag soaked in kerosene is used. It is impossible to be in the booth for the first 5 minutes.
In the next 10 and even more so. Before the appearance of natural draft in the firebox, the smoke seeks the shortest way to "freedom".
A few drops of kerosene flowed into the ash pan and slowly burn out. (Ash pan is a bunker under the firebox, into which ash and slag are poured to avoid getting them on the way).
The smoke gradually dissipated, the firewood flared up, you can look into the booth and check the uniformity of combustion.
If you look from below, you can observe the process of burning coal through the grates of the furnace.
After another 3 hours, the pressure in the boiler rises to 5 atmospheres, you can check the operation of the injector (pumps water from the tender into the boiler using steam pressure) and open the siphon (part of the steam is released into the pipe to create traction). Another 40 minutes and the pressure reached 9 atmospheres - you can start the steam-air pump (provides pressure for the brakes).
Now, after more than 7 hours, the locomotive is ready to make the first independent wheel revolution.
This process duration is one of the reasons why steam locomotives are not extinguished at night and during periods of 1-3 days of inactivity without work. Therefore, there is the position of a night stoker, who bypasses steam locomotives every 2-3 hours, "throws" the firebox, pumps water into the boiler.