The fireman uses his shovel to move coal from the bunker to the firebox. Many larger locomotives need automatic stokers but the K-28s have always been hand-fired. The fireman has other duties, too, but he is responsible for keeping the fire hot to provide enough steam when the engineer needs it. His shovel rarely idles, even on downhill parts of the journey, where engine speed is controlled by the pistons to slow the train down.
Quick facts
Tough duty
Fireman's relief
Stokers required