Ron Martin's Moments: Gettysburg tourist train explosion 

The Gettysburg Railroad is a horror story in shady management and safety practices. If not for the way 1278's boiler was built, people probably would've been killed in the explosion.

Human error 100 percent. Not cleaning or blowing down the boiler or the water spindles. Leaking check valve, no low water alarm, 4th and 5th degree burns, goodness gracious. How scary

Happy Retirement Ron!! I used to live 2 doors down from Ron in the early 90's. My dog a huge Blk Lab ran out the door and Ron was about to get into his car he leaped on top of his car hood in one jump. I explained the Dog wouldn't harm anybody. I was sorry.

June 16th, 1995 7:00 P.M. 1278's crownsheet failed.

0:47 proof the crown sheet collapsed due to exposure to heat and the water level to go below

You know, if the Federal Railroad Administration had the 1472 day or 15 year inspection/overhaul like they do in these days, 1278 will still be running along with the Gettysburg tourist railroad. 1278 was a fine pacific type steamer and it would still be running if the 1472 day or 15 year inspection/overhaul was in place back in the 90s. Well, at least the crew of the engine was spared thanks to the design of 1278's boiler and stay bolts. Because of that, 1278 just had a what they call a Backdraft explosion. Well, at least 1278 still exists today, but it's likely that it won't ever run under it's own power again unless someone wants to spend an incredible amount of money to try to get 1278 to run again because up in Altoona, they are trying to get the Pennsylvania Railroad K4S number 1361 to run again, and the Pennsy K4s were fantastic steamers, but the only other that survives is the 3750 at Strasburg. If only the Pennsy preserved more than two K4 steamers. RIP 1278. :(

This was inexcusable. Blame to go around, FRA, Gettysburg RR, and the poorly trained crew. 1278 was the one that suffered most!

This caused them to close down

poor 1278

1:24

Call me biased but they had it coming for giving very little care to such a beautiful pacific

I love steam locomotives

That sure was scary! Shame for everyone onboard. 😢

I don’t know if it’s going to be scrapped or left to be abandoned, well I’m scared that it’ll get scrapped

Darn it Gettysburg

I don't like diesels locomotives

Those news reporters have 90s written all over them. Wow, the style was terrible back then!

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