Volume Two - The Era of Optimism, Investment & Development - Penarth's contribution to coal exports . . .

The efficient combustion of coal to boil water to generate steam and use it to convert reciprocating motion into rotational motion to undertake mechanical work was paramount especially at sea, or in areas where transport of coal was expensive. At best, steam power remained highly inefficient and wasteful. It therefore follows, that to get the best thermal energy yield, a great deal of skill was required by the people who kept the fires burning i.e. the stokers and firemen of our world. The following extract is taken from "The Steam Locomotive - it's failures and how to deal with them" published in September 1925 and issued to the crews of the London & North Eastern Railway. [149]

"Locomotive Instruction Book - Foreward to Firemen - The object of this book is to assist you to prepare to pass the examination and become efficient Firemen and Drivers. . . . Safety must be your first consideration . . . Rules, Regulations and Brake Book . . you will be expected to become conversant with the various working parts of the engine" . . .

The next section is entitled "Fuel Economy - When a Fireman comes on duty and has examined the water level in the boiler and tested the water gauge cocks, his attention should then be given to the state of the firebox. He should, whenever possible, see that tube ends, brick arch and stays are clean, also that there is no leakage from either lead plugs, tubes, stays & c. He should follow this up by opening the smokebox door, satisfy himself that there is no leakage at that end of the boiler, that blast pipe and jet pipe & c. are in order, that all ashes have been cleaned out and, finally, before gently closing the door he should wipe its edge and the smokebox beading with a greasy cloth, bearing in mind that it is most essential to make an airtight joint, which materially assists in maintaining steam throughout the journey.

Having satisfied himself that the ashpan has been cleaned out and the firebars are in proper order,he can then take steps to make up his fire. Great care must be exercised in building up the fire in order to ensure a good supply of steam on the journey. A great deal depends upon the first layer of fire being well burnt through, as to add coal to a fire that is black on thetop is to court trouble on the journey, so that every care must be taken inthat direction. When the coal already put in the firebox is burnt through more should be added and the fire should be gradually built up until there is a sufficient body of it, thickest in back corners and under the door, which is usually satisfactory for the modern engine (see Diagram No.1- left).