Customer Reviews

Engine Drivers Manual: How to Prepare, Fire and Drive a Steam Locomotive: How to Prepare, Fire and Drive a Steam Locomotive

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Obviously, in the states, it is hard to find a book on how to prepare, fire, and drive a British steam locomotive. This book provides plenty of illustrations, photos, text and history that deals with the many aspects of this subject. Great read!

This book is simply the best book for the person who either has absolutely no idea how a steam engine works, to the expert "engine drivers" themselves. If there is one thing that could be better, it is a few of the drawings. Some of the drawings are downright confusing such as the drawing of the "fixing plate" on page 19 and the "vacuum operated steam brake controls" on page 162. Also, some of the british names for things are a bit hard to understand over here, such as the "hanging jubilee clip" and the jigger valve". Everything else is very good and very well explained though. And I make no hesitation to give it five stars.
Brian starts off with a detailed description of the moving and nonmoving parts of the engines. He then carries on to discuss the cleaners dirty work, then the fireman's duties, then the drivers duties.