水位

When running steam engines , the most critical responsibility is to maintain a nominal level of water in the boiler . This is done by observing a water gauge and adjusting the water level accordingly. The water level should always be visible within the water gauge, typically ranging between 75% and 85% of the boiler height.

If water rises above the limit, there are two potential dangers - there is less room for steam to be generated in, and water can overflow into the cylinders , potentially causing them to break .

If water falls under the limit, the boiler can explode and cause catastrophic damage . If the firebox is sufficiently hot and its top surface, known as “crown sheet”, protrudes above the water level, it can soften from high temperatures and pressure, and lead to the boiler explosion.

In an emergency attempt to save the engine from explosion, immediately feed water and dump coal from the firebox.

Water is fed to the boiler from storage using an injector . It is dumped from the boiler using a blowdown valve, usually found in a vehicle's cab .

水位也取决于等级。如果机车正在下坡，水平面将低于平坦表面，反之亦然。在紧急情况下，防止爆炸的方法之一是用排污阀、鼓风机甚至汽缸旋塞从锅炉中排放蒸汽。

Water level is also grade dependent, and subject to sloshing. If the vehicle is going downhill, the level will appear lower than on a flat surface, and vice versa.