Inspections

"...I think if you are going to take a tractor out in public, it needs to have been inspected by some qualified individual...."
Probably a good idea, unfortunately you will find there are people out there who ARE official inspectors, but aren't truly qualified to pass judgement on any type of riveted construction. And you'll also find many hobbyists who know so much more about those same boilers than you could ever hope for... Who would you REALLY rather have looking at the thing?
Now, I have heard that the good steam fellows at Rough and Tumble Engineers club out in Kinzers, Pa. are hoping in the near future to put together a program aimed at state (and insurance) inspectors to teach them the basics of riveted construction, and farm boilers. common problem areas and what else to look for. One can only hope that this project will work out.
BTW: A great many of the steam shows out in Ohio are very well policed and inspected by a delegation of the hobbyists themselves.
Unfortunately, it seems, the Medina fair wasn't one of those places. I personally feel that the fair board is/was guilty of complacency for that. BUT another fact is that this engine had JUST arrived at the show, and there would not have been time yet for any inspection. (Engines are usually inspected at a showgrounds, this saves the state money because the inspector can do all of them "assembly line" style rather than spend all day driving around to do two or three)