Ah yes the #17 at Lakeside. That was one scary water glass.
Remember when we first put the #463 together we had slight valley in the steam line to the water glass. As a result the water level in the glass would climb as the steam condensed in the line and formed a plug of water in the low spot. The same issue occurred on #40 when it was first rebuilt before going to Alaska. In both cases the solution was making sure there was no low spot for condensation to collect in.
When running using gauge cocks I usually crack them open and just leave them that way. After a little practice it is easy to get a sense of where the true water level is.
When I back up the switchback at Roaring Camp I always crack the bottom gauge cock. That way I have a quick reference for water level that I can hear when I'm looking backwards.
John Bush