Steam Locomotive Firebox Explosion on the Gettysburg Railroad ...

CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY........................................................................................................... v
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................... 1
INVESTIGATION
Accident .......................................................................................................................................... 3
Train Damage.................................................................................................................................. 6
Gettysburg Passenger Services........................................................................................................ 9
Personnel Information ................................................................................................................... 10
Engineer ................................................................................................................................. 10
First Fireman .......................................................................................................................... 10
Second Fireman...................................................................................................................... 11
Helper Engineer ..................................................................................................................... 11
Training.................................................................................................................................. 11
Delineation of Duties ............................................................................................................. 12
Train and Equipment Information.................................................................................................12
<strong>Locomotive</strong> 1278 ................................................................................................................... 12
Boiler Information.................................................................................................................. 13
Cab Equipment and Arrangement.......................................................................................... 14
<strong>Locomotive</strong> Maintenance Records......................................................................................... 18
Postaccident Inspections, Tests, and Research.............................................................................. 19
Crownsheet Failure ................................................................................................................ 19
Water Glass............................................................................................................................ 19
Water-Glass Blowdown ......................................................................................................... 24
Gage Cocks ............................................................................................................................ 26
Boiler-Water Behavior...........................................................................................................26
Boiler-Water Supply System.................................................................................................. 29
Water Treatment .................................................................................................................... 30
Boiler Washing ...................................................................................................................... 31
Low-Water Devices ...............................................................................................................32
Oversight and Regulation of <strong>Steam</strong> <strong>Locomotive</strong>s......................................................................... 33
Regulation and Oversight....................................................................................................... 35
Industry Efforts ...................................................................................................................... 37
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