A typical steam locomotive from the driver's viewpoint showing the various valves and other controls. This boiler is known as a marine type because they are common on ships. The whole of the firebox can be removed for cleaning.

The loco is a 'Sweet Pea' class and it has a saddle tank over the top of the boiler for its water supply.

Raking the fire in a standard locomotive fire box to remove 'clinker', a residue from burning anthracite coal which forms on the fire grate and blocks the essential air flow through the fire from below. The loco is 'Captain Hook'. Photo © David Butterell.

One of our members occasionally drives 'Sir Nigel Gresley' and other full size steam locomotives, having first learned to drive miniature steam locos at Abbeydale as a junior member.

These are the incredible controls on the backhead of a large American steam locomotive for comparison!