The water and steam leaking was not coming from the cab. The boiler had not failed at this point yet. The water and steam was coming from the feedwater check valve flange on top of the boiler, so every time they started the feed pump, most of it wouldn't even make it into the boiler which was a contributing factor in the accident.

1:06, this here, will probably be the last time the public will EVER hear 1278 again.

I know the regular steam engineer for the steam engines on that line...he was out the day of the explosion

Where did you find this?

I was on the train. It just sounded like a "woosh". We were going fairly slow for a crossing when it happened, which was convenient for the emergency personnel. The building we were next to on the left, it colored it black. Someone in the cab hit the brakes before leaping off, saving us passengers.

The Boiler didn't explode, there was a backdraft and the crownsheet bulged and the 3 crew members where seriously injured. From records and interviews it turns out the feed water heater was leaking all day when the incident occurred.

Company did a terrible job of training their workers, maintaining their equipment, and following NTSB protocol. Unfortunate that this was the outcome.

Title: Gettysburg RR Explosion

The comments on this are extraordinary. I love train guys and their wisdom.

I've read that there are around 150 steam locomotives presently in at least occasional operation in the United States and I'm thankful that there have not been more BLEVE accidents. Most are maintained and operated by people capable and determined to do their jobs to the highest standards, but there will be the inevitable few that cause most of the accidents.

Poor maintanence.

1:05 the sound of an engine in absolute pain

It surprises me that there's no film or photo of the accident right after the crown sheet blew. I'd love to see one just to see what it looked like!

Holy shit, This is terrifying, Knowing that it will explode and it's just there staring at you.

At 7:00 PM before midnight, it happened.

That poor locomotive