Britain at Work
A Pictorial Description of Our National Industries

io8 BRITAIN AT WORK. Photo: Cassell & Co., Ltd. ON THE JOURNEY FROM LONDON TO TAUNTON. THE ENGINE WAS TRAVELLING ABOUT FIFTY MILES AN HOUR WHEN THIS PHOTOGRAPH WAS TAKEN. both in order that a very dirty operation may be accomplished before the engine is cleaned up pre- paratory to its next trip, and to avoid delays on going out in the morning. Having served his time as shunting-driver, pilot- man, or engine-turner, the engineman is promoted in turn to the posts of third- class driver, working local goods trains ; second-class driver, working main-line goods trains; and first- class driver, employed on passenger trains exclu- sively. Concerning the latter, a point to be em- phasised is that there is no difference in rank or the latter when caught, and, in short, doing the scullion’s work for the leviathans of the road. Having become a qualified fireman, the engineman is promoted to be what is termed a third-class one, whose duties are confined to engines working local, or “ box,” goods trains on branch lines, or to those employed in “ banking,” that is, assisting goods trains from behind when ascending inclines. The rank above the last-named is second-class fireman, who works on main-line goods trains ; after which comes first-class fireman, or fireman of passenger trains, whether they be slow, local, or express. A first-class fireman is also understood to be capable of taking charge of an engine in emergency, having by now passed an examination for the purpose. In course of time the first- class fireman commences his career as an engine-driver from the bottom of the driver’s ladder, that is, either in charge of a shunting engine or as an engine-turner. The latter post means that he meets and takes over the goods and passenger locomotives on entering the running-shed at the end of a trip, and remains in charge as driver whilst they shunt, turn round on the turn-table, coal, and steam gently into the shed to be stabled for the night. It must be explained that engines coal at the end of a journey, pay between him who drives the “ crack ” express and the driver of the slowest and most obscure branch-line passenger train. Most persons have an idea—and it is a very natural one—that the drivers of the fast or long-distance express trains are better paid than the remainder of their confreres-, whereas Photo: Cassell & Co., Ltd. FIRING UP