D&RGW K-28 COAL FIRED MANUAL
11
Firing Your Locomotive
Since it is absolute human nature “
not to read instructions
,” there is included with this set of instructions a “K-28 COAL
FIRING CHECK LIST”. This checklist covers the entire firing process, in abbreviated form, from setting the locomotive out
on the track to putting the locomotive in long term storage.
After assembling all the necessary items, coal, charcoal, water, oils and tools, you need to find a spot to lubricate the
locomotive and tender. I usually use a convenient table or other flat surface where I can place a folded towel to protect the
locomotive when I lay it on its side. You need to oil the running gear on both sides, oil the axle boxes, the lead and trailing
truck and the axle pump yoke and eccentric. I also put a drop of oil on the axle pump ram. The locomotive is then placed
on the steam up bay track and the tender axles oiled in a similar fashion.
After placing the tender behind the locomotive on the track, connect the drawbar in its long position. Although you can run
the loco with the drawbar in the short position, it is less convenient to stoke the firebox, there is less access room to reach
the controls and it puts a more acute bend in the tender water lines.
Next connect the tender water lines. The return line slips onto the locomotive stub pipe about 3/16 to a 1/4 of an inch.
The pump feed line screws onto the locomotive fitting; it contains an “O” ring to sea! it, and finger tight is tight enough.
Check that the “O” ring has not become misplaced.
Following the tender hook up you should check the lubricator for
proper oil level.
The correct level is even with the bottom of the cross tube.
Before adding oil, check that you drained
the condensate after the prior run by using your syringe or opening the drain. An easy tip for adding oil is to again use
your syringe; fill the syringe with oil, insert the tube down below the cross tube and add oil to the proper level. This keeps
oil from spanning across the gap between the lubricator sides and the cross tube and not draining down. After filling the
lubricator, open the lubricator adjustment valve approximately 1/8 to 1/4 turn, or to the setting that experience has shown
will feed 1 to 1 1/2 cc of oil per hour of running time.
Water can now be added to the tender. It will hold approximately 2 quarts, and should be filled to the bottom of the hatch.
Once the tender is full of water, you can clear the pump feed lines of air. Begin by ensuring that the boiler and gauge glass
blow downs. the throttle and the blower valve are all closed. Open the axle pump bypass valve a half turn or so, and pump
the tender pump 10 to 15 strokes. Close the bypass and pump the tender pump an additional 8 to 10 pumps; or until the
water level is 1/8 inch above the red line on the water glass. Leave the bypass closed.
NOTE
: If the boiler needs more water than a few strokes of the tender pump, it is easiest to add water using the Goodall
Valve and Pump Bottle.
Do not overfill the boiler.
The water level will rise as the boiler is heated and comes up to steam pressure. This can
cause the water level in the boiler to be so high that the boiler will” prime” or pass raw water to the cylinders when you first
start the locomotive moving. If the water level is more than 3/16 inch above the red line, water can be released from the
boiler as steam pressure builds by using the gauge glass blow down or the boiler blow down.
The most convenient way to fire your locomotive is from a gondola full of coal coupled up behind the tender. The gondola
also provides a handy place to keep the fire pick and shovel. Fill the gondola about 2/3 full of coal and couple it up to the
tender . After placing your suction / smokestack fan in a convenient place next to the front of the loco, fill the firebox with
oil soaked charcoal level with the bottom of the door . This takes about 8 to 10 shovel fulls, and should be spread out
evenly in the firebox, side to side and front to back. Check that the blower, throttle and axle pump bypass valves are all
closed. Place the fan into the stack, light the charcoal, and immediately turn on the fan and shut the firebox door.
You will now have about 2 to 2 1/2 minutes to relax as steam pressure builds to about 10 pounds on the gauge. As soon
as the gauge shows 10 pounds, add 2 shovels of coal, remove the fan and turn on the blower. The blower is much more
effective at providing draft than the fan , and pressure will build very quickly; you should be able to actually see the gauge
climbing . As pressure builds, you will need to turn the blower down slightly. At between 40 and 50 pounds pressure, add 2
or 3 more shovels of coal and open the cylinder drain cocks.
