CHAPTER I.

PAGE ENGINEERS AND THEIR DUTIES 1

Attributes that make a Good Engineer.--How Engineering Knowledge and Skill are Acquired.--Public Interest in Locomotive Engineers.--Ignorance _versus_ Knowledge.-- Illiterate Engineers not wanted in America.--Growing Importance of Engineers’ Duties.--Individuality of American Engineers.--Necessity for Class Improvement.-- The Skill of Engineers influences Operating Expenses.-- Methods of Self-improvement.--Observing Shop Operations.-- Where Ignorance was Ruin.--Prejudice against studying Books.--The Kind of Knowledge gained from Books.