What do you call the person who shovels coal on a train?

A fireman, stoker or watertender is a person whose occupation it is to tend the fire for the running of a boiler, heating a building, or powering a steam engine. Much of the job is hard physical labor, such as shoveling fuel, typically coal, into the boiler’s firebox.

What does a train fireman do?

In this role, you’re still responsible for the fuel needs of the train, and maintaining the locomotive and related railroad facilities. You check the locomotive oil, fill sand buckets, and do other tasks as needed to ensure the proper and safe functioning of the locomotive.

How does a coal train work?

Air flows up through the grates allowing the coal to burn hotter. The hot gases released from the coal flow forward through a series of flues or tubes to the front of the locomotive. Water surrounds the outside of the firebox. Heat from the burning coal turns water to steam, which rises to the top of the boiler.

What were the jobs on a steam locomotive?

A typical steam locomotive had an engine and a tender for carrying fuel and water for the boiler. Two crew members worked in the engine’s cab: the engineer ran the locomotive, and the fireman managed the boiler and helped watch for signals. Both jobs were highly skilled.

What is a coal stoker?

stoker, machine for feeding coal or other solid fuel into a furnace, usually supporting the fuel during combustion. A good stoker also supplies air for combustion and regulates the rate of burning and, in large installations, disposes of the ashes.

What is fire brigade man called?

fireman. / (ˈfaɪəmən) / noun plural -men. a man who fights fires, usually a public employee or trained volunteerGender-neutral form: firefighter.

How much coal is in a coal train?

Each train has approximately 115 cars, and each car carries an average of 116 tons of coal.

What are railroad workers called?

Trainmen. Trainmen, or brakemen, also report to the trainmaster, but follow the instructions of the conductor and of “others with proper authority.” They’re responsible for the caboose identification markers, or the electronic end-of-train device.

What is a railroad stoker?

A mechanical stoker is a mechanical system that feeds solid fuel like coal, coke or anthracite into the furnace of a steam boiler. They are common on steam locomotives after 1900 and are also used on ships and power stations.

What is stoker firing?

Mechanical Stoker Firing. When fuel i.e. coal is put into the steam boiler furnace by means of a mechanical stoker, the firing of boiler method is referred as mechanical stoker firing. There are mainly two types of mechanical stoker firing systems.