Generalizations and attitudes

Are there some crappy traction engine boilers out there? Certainly. Are there crappy loks as well? I'd guess yes.
MOST traction engine owners have a high enough regard for their investment, pride in their machine, and deisre to keep their health that they maintain their machines in good order.
As far as the few bums, I'd be just as wary about those very few shoestring tourist lines on the verge of going broke cutting corners when no one is looking.
Meanwhile, I've heard entirely too many snide reamarks from people who SHOULD know better about some steam engines being "superior" just because they happen to run on rails rather than roads.... This isn't 1922, the loco crew no longer has to worry about "mud steamer jockeys" stealing their wages, nor is there enough difference between the ag and loco boilers in the eyes of the politicians or the general public to support continuing such a stance.
IMO "We must all hang together, or we shall surely hang separately."