Re: Today's Picture (RGS 461 at Lizard Head)

In Sunset on the RGS there is a rather detailed report about the damage to the rotary. It states the crownsheet burned to several inches below the high point. It is not uncommon for the force of the explosion to blow forward out the smokebox, especially if the crownsheet splits longitudinally (side to side) and drops in a way which deflects the force forward. I think the rotary's boile was rigidly mounted on teh rear of the frame and the front end was on sliding waist bearers (like a Shay). This would tend keep the boiler on the frame. The "post event" pic I've seen of the rotary show it derailed and real body blown loose like it got launched upwward and dropped. I think the terrorist sabotage theory is a not-so-urban legend.

In the report is a statement from a D&RGW boilermaker as to what would be needed to repair the boiler. A rotary boiler is nothing like a locomotive boiler in size and shape. A "retired C-class" boiler wouldn't fit.