684

MODERN STEAM PRACTICE.

give with the expansion and contraction of the pipe, v/hen the feedwater is warm or comparatively cold. There is always a plug tapfitted to the boiler with pipe connection to each pump and feed pipe;by this means steam is admitted into the pumps in the winter timewhen they are in danger from the water freezing, as likewise thesteam can be admitted into the tender through the suction pipe toheat the water in the tender, and consequently effect a saving in fuel.This can generally be done when running slowly or standing at aStation, otherwise the steam would be blown to waste through thesafety valves. Water heaters have been tried with a measure ofsuccess, the feed water being heated by the waste heat in thesmoke box.

The connection between the tender and the suction pipe on theeng ine which is universally preferred is a plain flexible hose, whichbends and unbends with the motion of the engine and tender, thematerial used in its construction being india rubber and canvas,with a coiled wire placed inside to prevent the pipe collapsing, andwhich springs readily with the motion. A small plug tap is placedbetween the delivery valve and the non-return valve on the boilerfor relieving the pipe from any steam that may accumulate, andwhich is worked by a rod (having a handle at the end) passingalong to the platform.

THE LOCOMOTIVE TENDER.

THE BRITISH TENDER.

The tender is the vehicle which accompanies the locomotiveengine, and carries the fuel and water, &c., required by the leadingmachine, besides in many cases providing the brake power forcontrolling the train. The framing of the tender in many examplesis entirely composed of wrought iron, built up in some, or in oneplate with all the parts cut out; while in others the side frame is ofoak, with thin side plates all in one piece, with the guard plates forthe axle boxes cut out in the plates, and in some arrangementsseparate from the side plating; the end beams being formed of oakstrengthened with wrought-iron plates. The guide plates are of castiron bolted between the thin side plates. The axle boxes are of