[tacticalogic]

They've brought back steam engines that haven't run in decades. How many of those are going to have catastrophic boiler failures in the next year? You can be sure no one has been maintaining them.

And how many are left that know how to operate one properly? Even in top-notch condition, a steam engine boiler will explode if the water level isn't monitored and maintanined properly. This kind of failure is usually worse than a seam rupture, because it melts a hole in the bottom of the boiler, and the steam vents into the firebox, blowing the contents out the back, where the operator is standing.

[AnAmericanMother]

And how many are left that know how to operate one properly? Even in top-notch condition, a steam engine boiler will explode if the water level isn't monitored and maintanined properly. This kind of failure is usually worse than a seam rupture, because it melts a hole in the bottom of the boiler, and the steam vents into the firebox, blowing the contents out the back, where the operator is standing.

You beat me to it, tacticalogic. I see low water explosions, crown sheet failures and other delights of poorly maintained steam boilers in the future of Zim. As if they needed any more troubles.

And a boiler explosion can wreak havoc all around. As a matter of coincidence, last night I was reading an old book by Robert Reed called "Train Wrecks - A Pictorial History of Accidents on the Main Line." Whole chapter on boiler explosions . . . lots of fatalities.