Re: NQANG - I dont think that will buff out

ozinoz Wrote:
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> Not Quite All Narrow Gauge
>
> Some serious brown trouser moments I will bet.
> [www.vintag.es]
> ler-explosion.html
>
> Something not to be repeated....
>
>


I was across the street from and out of direct sight of a steam tractor that exploded in 2001 (it had just driven behind a building, from my point of view). In spite of the distance there were a couple cars near mine that had their windshields busted out by falling chunks of metal. Everyone who had been on the tractor and I think someone on the ground nearby were killed. They drove it in, ran out of water and tried to make it with disastrous results. Steam technology must be properly respected and the operators have to understand they're essentially working next to a bomb.


Photograph 16 appears to be a Queensland 42 inch gauge A12 Baldwin. I've seen that particular photo before, as well as a few of the others.

From a mechanical standpoint the photographs provide a good illustration of how different methods of construction result in different modes of failure. The 19th century crown bar/wagon top boilers built using lap seam shells show a tendency for the boiler seams to burst ahead of the wagon top area, as on the Queensland engine mentioned above as well as several others pictured.