The Engine Driver's Manual: How to Prepare, Fire and Drive a Steam Locomotive (Hardcover)

~ Brian Topping (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Providing an understanding of steam locomotive operation, this book details the duties of locomotive drivers, firemen and cleaners. It illustrates and explains locomotive components, and gives advice on all types of steam locomotive and train working, from shunting loose-coupled wagons to high-speed main line passenger trains. The book also includes health and safety regulations and advice.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Ian Allan Publishing (November 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0860935396
• ISBN-13: 978-0860935391
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,084,247 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous book for British train lovers, January 13, 1999

By	David N. VanMeter (Hilliard, OH United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a fabulous book for ALL train lovers, July 8, 2002

By	Trevor Jordan Heald (Corvallis, Oregon United States) - See all my reviews

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.