John,

The D&RGW narrow gauge experienced a boiler explosion when 455 dropped its crown sheet at Shavano Tank on Marshall Pass. I don't have the date here at the office, but I've got it written into my copy of the D&RGW roster at home. Apparently the crew was too busy taking on water and didn't watch the water level. The explosion killed the crew - or at least the engineer, Tom Dobie (Dobbie?). The locomotive was rebuilt and returned to service. There is no ICC report for this incident on line, but there was coverage in the Salida newspaper.

Late in the steam age, one of the Rio Grande's Baldwin 4-6-6-4s exploded near Louviers, killing the engine crew and an enthusiast who had obtained an unofficial cab ride. I believe there is an ICC report for this incident available on line.

To close on a narrow gauge note, the C&S had a crown sheet failure on the Clear Creek lines which, for once, did not result in fatalities. I believe this was No. 70, at Golden. I think it was written up in one of the Colorado Rail Annuals.


CVM
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