_Answer._ First of all when running into a station when the train stops, the speed must be checked so that the train will not enter with very great momentum. Therefore, at a distance varying from one to three-quarters of a mile, according to the nature of the grades and track, the steam should be shut off, so that the speed will be reduced so much that the train under any circumstances will be under full control. It is always better to enter a station at too low a speed than to run in too fast, because if it is necessary, more steam can always be admitted to the cylinders to increase the speed before coming to a stop; whereas it is not so easy to stop the train if it is running too fast, and it becomes necessary to check it before entering the station. This will sometimes be necessary, because it may readily happen through negligence or accident at stations that in switching cars one or more may be left standing wholly or partly on the track, which the arriving train must run over, in which case a collision with its terrible consequences may be unavoidable. When a train is equipped with continuous brakes, the control which they usually give to a locomotive runner over the train is so great that he is apt to approach stations, crossings or draw-bridges at a high rate of speed, and rely on such brakes to stop the train. This practice is always attended with great danger, because if it was found, on getting near to the station, crossing or draw-bridge, that the track was not clear, and that it was obstructed by a car or train, or the draw was open, if the runner should attempt to apply the brakes and from some cause they should fail to work, as sometimes occurs, then a collision or other disaster would be inevitable, because it would be impossible to stop the train with the ordinary hand brakes. For this reason a locomotive runner should always approach such places cautiously and with his train under sufficient control, so that if he finds there is danger ahead he can stop the train with the ordinary means, or at the worst by reversing the engine. Continuous brakes should always, excepting in cases of imminent danger, be applied gradually, so as not to check the cars with a jerk or too suddenly. The practice of opening the cock which admits air to atmospheric brakes suddenly, and then turning it back again as quickly, is almost sure to produce disagreeable and dangerous shocks to the cars. The cock should be opened gradually, so as to check the cars slowly at first. QUESTION 487. _What must be attended to when running a locomotive at night?_