CHAPTER II.

HOW LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS ARE MADE 11

Reliable Men needed to run Locomotives.--Early Methods of making Locomotive Engineers.--Practice of raising Engineers from Machinists and Technical-school Graduates not found satisfactory.--Experience demonstrated that Firemen made the Best Engineers.--Difficulties of running Locomotives at Night, and during Bad Weather.--Kind of Men to be chosen as Firemen.--Modern Methods of selecting Firemen.--First Trips.--Popular Misconception of a Fireman’s Duties.--Learning Firemen’s Duties.--A Good Fireman makes a Good Engineer.--Learning an Engineer’s Duties.--Conditions of Engine Running that vanquish the Inexperienced Man.--Learning to keep the Locomotive in Running-order.--Methods of Promotion on our Leading Roads.--Nature of Examination to be passed.--Master Mechanics on the Best Method of Educating Young Men for Engineers.