The rear of a steam locomotive contains controls for the engineer, including the throttle and brake controls, pressure gauges, and a firebox door. Operators must monitor steam pressure, water levels, and fuel to keep the train running safely. The rear can be hot and dangerous, and passengers can see it if they get close to the cab.
On a steam locomotive, the rear is the part of the boiler that pushes into the cab. Various controls are mounted at the back for use by the engineer and other train personnel, and may also have a firebox door to allow the crew to control the fire and add fuel, if necessary. In regions where steam trains still run, passengers can see this part of the train if they can get close to the cab; it will be easy to identify because of all the checks. Museums can also provide an opportunity to see the caldera assembly and its back up close.
Operators of a steam locomotive must be able to control conditions in the boiler to determine train speed and other operating conditions. An important control in the rear head is the throttle, connected to a valve to control steam pressure. People can close or open the valve to force the train to speed up or slow down. Pressure gauges that provide information on steam pressure are also an important component. The train needs to build up the pressure before it can start running, a process known as “building a steam head”, and the operator needs to keep the pressure within a safe range to keep the train running and prevent boiler explosions. .
Depending on the brake system, the brake controls and brake pressure gauges can also be found in this part of the cab. To monitor water levels in the boiler, operators use a sight glass and check valves. It is important to keep the water level stable to avoid accidents and keep the boiler in good working order, and a busy locomotive can go through water very quickly. The train bell and whistle wire controls are also typically mounted on the back.
The firebox door, usually located near the floor of the cab, provides an opportunity to look inside the firebox, add fuel to stoke it, and move it if it is not performing as desired. Train operators need tools to handle the fuel and securely grip the door, as it can get very hot when the boiler is running.
The rear can make the cabin quite hot, depending on the insulation level of the boiler. Ventilation can be provided through an open cab design or through windows that people can adjust to allow more or less air to flow through the cab. Proximity to the boiler can also make the cabin dangerous, as it is virtually impossible to survive a boiler explosion at close range.
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