Well, sadly, it had to happen.
If it was precipitated by the ignorance of the local constabulary as alluded to earlier, then I think that the jurisdiction has opened itself up to a whopping big lawsuit from the survivors and families of those injured and killed. Unfortunately, most police are young and have no idea of the care that a piece of machinery like a steam tractor takes. But as they say in court "Ignorance of the law is no excuse". The same goes for Steam engines.
I think that from the Railroad end, the Railroads with operating Steam Locomotives can point to the new FRA regulations governing Steam Locomotives and appurtenances that was passed last year as doing something proactive rather than reactive to the aging boiler situation in this country.
These new ules were being formulated long before the Gettysburg mishap.
Coke and Mik are right, all it will take is one or two lawmakers who feel that somehow the laws of physics have changed since the end of regular steam use for transportation in this country and they will attempt to garner more votes by protecting more of us from ourselves.
Be vigilant, I'm sure that others are. If Ohio passes an anti-steam law, well, there's always a route through either Kentucky or Canada.
Rick Steele