Brian Topping

Subtitled "How to prepare, fire, and drive a steam locomotive". Lots and lots and lots of photographs, drawings, and details; with explanations (for example) of the difference between Walschaerts, Stephenson, Bulleid and Caprotti valve gear. How to clean your locomotive, fire your boiler, types of oil cans, how to cook breakfast on a coal shovel (including menu suggestions: Chapter 5, page 146) - it's all here. Just the thing if you find a steam locomotive sitting on a siding and want to go show more for a joy ride. (This is for British locomotives, though; might be a little problem adapting to internal frames and North American couplings). show less

A useful enough reference book, but really the only way to learn to fire and drive an engine is by practical experience.