Answers to the Lesson 1 review quiz

Name the 3 essential items you’ll need when preparing to fire up your steam locomotive?
  1.  Beer, matches, and protective gloves (yes, gloves would be smart, beer would be satisfying, and matches would work if you don’t mind singed fingers)
  2. Gas, oil, tap water (tap water?  NEVEER.  ‘Nuff said)
  3. Distilled water, steam oil, gas (and in that order!)
  4. Gas, water, oil (Did you mean butane, distilled water, and steam oil?  Sure you did…)
Upon lighting, what to do if yellow flames flash out of the smoke box?
  1.  Let it burn, it’s just part of starting up (definitely not unless you don’t love your locomotive)
  2. Turn the gas off and wait for the flame to go out (then crack the valve and try again)
  3. Turn the gas up a bit higher, flame will jump to the boiler (no, maybe to your work bench though)
  4. Blow on the flame to snuff it (look around for who does this;  missing eyebrows and moustache)
What is the ideal boiler water level when starting?
  1.  1/4 full (nope – this is the least you’d ever want to see!)
  2. Full (nope – have to leave some room in top of boiler for steam to form)
  3. 2/3 full (ideal – ample supply with room for steam)
  4. Automatic, no worries (never true, even in loco’s with automatic pumps)
What is the purpose of steam oil?
  1.  Keep pilot wheels well lubricated (good to do, but not with steam oil)
  2. Lubricate pistons and internals (yes – steam carries the oil to the valves and cylinders)
  3. Shine locomotive’s brass (no, but there’ll be plenty to wipe off after a run)
  4. Ease rail friction (and that’s why the garden railway enthusiasts don’t like “live steamers”)
Best ignition source when firing up?
  1.  Match (would work but might singe one’s fingers – if you could get it lit)
  2. Lighter (a barbeque lighter works safest)
  3. Flint (not unless your locomotive was built in the stone age)
  4. Battery (what battery?)
Boiler pressure enabling operation?
  1. 25 psi (might start to get some action, but probably not enough to sustain a run)
  2. 80 psi (no – excessive and potentially dangerous)
  3. 60 psi (in full steam this is the point where your safety valve[s] should trip)
  4. 40 psi (pressures in the range of 40 to 60 psi are normal)

How did you do?  If all correct, congratulations.  Click here to proceed.

If you missed one or more, you may want to review Lesson 1 — or hold your question for one of our live instructors.