RGS #42: the C-17s'problem

The C-17's were built with a rolled steel boiler as opposed to the wrought iron boilers on C-19s . The problem is due to new federal law ,all of the C-16s and C-19s received new rolled steel boilers between 1912 and 1917. The C-17s did not . By the 1920s the boilers were wearing out on these engines . These older boilers had lap-seam as opposed to the butt-seam on the boiler ,an inferior design that was outlawed on new boilers . C-18s had a boiler pressure of only 140psi for this reason . If the #42 ever ran again ,a new boiler would be ideal . Several sheets in the fire box need replacement .