The 23.4mi (37.7km) line ran from Gettysburg to Mount Holly Springs. [2], The Gettysburg Railroad went through a total of four steam locomotives in use, and they only had two by 1988. Bad deal all the way around. 0000002054 00000 n The Gettysburg Railroad was a railway line in Pennsylvania that operated from 1858-1870 over the 17 mile (27 km) main line from the terminus in Gettysburg to the 1849 Hanover Junction. 0000002692 00000 n My understanding is that poor and/or lack of running gear maintenance had made it cost prohibitive to restore # 76. The latter company subsequently changed its name to Gettysburg Railroad. [2] Since 1999, it sat in an Ohio Central Railroad storage facility in Morgan Run, Ohio for several years. This article contains a list of steam boiler explosions such as railway locomotive, marine transport (military and civilian), and stationary power. 1278 is a G5d class 4-6-2 "Pacific" type steam locomotive. ntsb.gov. I drove a locomotive; a real, live, steam locomotive. Collection The NTSB also determined that poor maintenance of the locomotive, as well as inadequate training, were contributing factors to the accident. It was quickly determined that the crown sheet overheated due to low water levels. 76, until 1995.[2][3]. None of the crew were killed and all 100 passengers escaped serious injury.[3]. It was scrapped in 2004. If the tubes would have been ripped out, would the boiler have experienced a complete explosion? Walk though of the now retired GE C40-8M. Explore other compensations for Vendor Administrator. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Canadian Pacific No. Clearly, the shooting would have been frenetic in July of 1863. Ex-Gettysburg Railroad, ex-Canadian Pacific 1278 is now part of Jerry Joe Jacobsons "Age of Steam" collection in Ohio,and to my knowledge there's no plans to restore it to operation. This locomotive is F. Nelson Blount's favorite steam locomotive. 1278 Sugarcreek, OH, United States: Location: Age of Steam Roundhouse Status: Display: Wheel Arrangement Information: Whyte: 4-6-2: UIC: 2'C1' French: 231: Name: Pacific: Example: . Location: Lawrenceville, NJ. [2] Blount had planned to renumber all three of the CPR G5 locomotives in his collection from 1246, 1278 and 1293 to 124, 127 and 129 respectively, but the engine was the only one of the three that underwent the change. Canadian Pacific Ry 4-6-2 No. The line was later leased to the Reading Railroad and operated as the "Gettysburg Branch." It is highly successful and later becomes the modern TV. On June 16, 1995, during its service with the Gettysburg Railroad, 1278 suffered a crown sheet failure, resulting in a boiler backdraft explosion in the firebox that severely injured the engineer and both firemen. 0000002920 00000 n On Friday, June 16, 1995, engine 1278 was taking a Summer Eve Dinner Excursion to Mount Holly Springs, but at 7 p.m. at Garners while moving at 15 miles per hour, the locomotive's firebox suffered a backdraft explosion. All aboard! Royal Hudson was never put through the more demanding boiler inspection that resulted. 1278 is a G5d class 4-6-2 "Pacific" type steam locomotive. Ross, jump in here if you wish, as you actually ran her. Presbyterian (RPCNA) churches often offer missions, children's ministry, adult education, community service, and youth group programs. 0000030300 00000 n [3], On June 16, 1995, steam engine No. Here is a sampling of recommendations from his handout on safety fromIDC Online: Operating a steam locomotive requires quite abit of muscle, so I was forced to deploytheChris Evert two-handed tennis racquet approach to driving. It currently remains on static display as 1556 at the. When they are operated carelessly, they are a literal ticking time bomb. After that trip I said to myself that I should write the FRA and complain about this. The Gettysburg Railroad was a short-line heritage railroad that operated in Pennsylvania from 1976 to 1996. Not only incharge of maintaining the railway, he runs the on-premises mechanical shop, and also repairs and builds locomotives for other historic railroads. The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the firebox explosion on steam locomotive 1278 was the failure of Gettysburg Passenger Services, Inc., management to ensure that the boiler and its appurtenances were properly maintained and that the crew was properly trained. After becoming the Susquehanna, Gettysburg & Potomac Railway line in 1870, the tracks between Gettysburg and Hanover Junction became part of the Hanover Junction, Hanover and Gettysburg Railroad in 1874, the . Stories of them switching passenger cars with passengers aboard on the fly, FRA inspectors knocking every one of their engines out of service for serious faults, the owner having his 9 year old daughter firing the #1278, that converted autorack/double decker open air car, the stories go on and on. WilliamsAmazingArtX. The railroad shipped freight for local companies and interchanged with CSX Transportation in Gettysburg and Conrail at Carlisle Junction in Mount Holly Springs. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. However, the latter two locomotives were on loan to the city of Reading for emergency warmth after a steam generator broke down. Never strike any object under steam or air pressure. There's worse places she could of ended up. 1278 suffered a boiler backdraft explosion while hauling an excursion train, seriously injuring the engineer and both firemen, however, no passengers were injured. 3254 in order to meet the demand for a stronger locomotive to pull Steamtown's longer trains. Gettysburg returned 1278 to service and operated her on . [13] The excursion train was delayed 45 minutes until a diesel could be connected to complete the train's trip. This means I know how to driveonethe Henschel 0-4-0 at the Boothbay Railway Village. With only one hand on the brake, Id have hurtled myself cleanout the side door of the cab after releasing it. The Gettysburg Railroad (reporting mark GETY) was a short-line heritage railroad that operated in Pennsylvania from 1976 to 1996. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! New York Central Railroad J-3a No. Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 3:00 pm. The 16 mile roundtrip takes 1 hour 30 minutes, or you can go on the longer evening trips that cover 36 miles roundtrip and take 3 hours. CN #3377, which had only 5000 miles on it from it's last major overhaul by CN, got parted out to keep #3524 running. It seems after 95 there have been far few steam excursions. Think of it as the locomotives transmission. . WilliamsAmazingArtX. It was scrapped in 2004. With this section cut out, you will be able to photograph both sides of the crown sheet while standing on the grates. Every summer I visited the Gettysburg RR and was ready to go again in June 1995 when the news came out that this happened. *Thank you to these amazing Gettysburg Wedding and Event Photographers! Hes been running the railway for 15 years and is an expert in the field of historic boilers and steam locomotives. Today she sits idle, rusting away in the Age of Steam Roundhouse, and she will likely never run under her own power again. They were crewed by people who should never have been anywhere near a steam engine and were trying to run three of them on a shoestring budget. He built his first steam railroad, the Penn View Mountain Railroad, on his farm near Blairsville, Pa., in the mid-1960s. Due to a planned power outage on Friday, 1/14, between 8am-1pm PST, some services may be impacted. The Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum in Sugarcreek, Ohio, owns and proudly displays former Canadian Pacific 4-6-2 #1278, the steam locomotive that 25 years ago was involved in a boiler incident on the former Gettysburg tourist railroad. The branch was acquired by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, which then sold the line to a new company, the Blairsville & Indiana Railroad, in 1976. It also operated a tourist railroad under a subsidiary, Gettysburg Passenger Services. And the trade for #3524 really screwed a bunch of people and engines over. To be able to safely and competently operate any locomotive means you must spend hours in the cab to becomebecome familiar with its uniqueness. 1278 is a class "G5d" 4-6-2 "Pacific" type steam locomotive built by the Canadian Locomotive Company for the Canadian Pacific Railway. As recently as 1995, the firebox failed on a scenic railroad steam locomotive in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, owing to a low water level inside the boiler. #1278 got run into the ground by Gettysburg. From the 1995 NTSB report on the GRR accident: I think (if memory serves) she also has a crown sheet that slopes back towards the door - which means that the front of the crown would be dry first as well as the progressive design of the crown stays which might help limit the impact. Never tighten a nut, bolt, or pipe thread under steam or air pressure. The Gettysburg Railroad (Reporting Mark: GETY) was a shortline heritage railroad that operated in Pennsylvania from 1976 to 1996. 1278, built by the Canadian Locomotive Company in Kingston, Ontario, in 1948, is a 4-6-2 with four small wheels in front, six large wheels in the mid-section and two small wheels in back. After Brian made sure we reviewed the locomotives safety mechanisms in detail, we ran through the process of blowing down the water glass and opening the gage cocks to make sure wed have sufficient and free-flowing water during our numerous passes around the village. 0000000760 00000 n They ranged from 12 tons to 80 tons, and most were a gas-mechanical drive, using the same engines as Mack trucks of the era. As a result of these factors and others, including an unclean boiler and the lack of a proper water treatment program by the Gettysburg Railroad, the NTSB recommended stricter inspection procedures on all operational steam locomotives in the United States to ensure safe operations. The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the firebox explosion on steam locomotive 1278 was the failure of Gettysburg Passenger Services, Inc., management to ensure that the boiler and its appurtenances were properly maintained and that the crew was properly trained. The absolute best thing about driving a steam locomotive is the sound. ong>Locomotive ong> 1278. Able to photograph both sides of the crown sheet overheated due to low levels. ] [ 3 ], on June 16, 1995, steam locomotive interchanged with Transportation. Returned 1278 to service and operated as the `` Gettysburg Branch. operate any locomotive means you must hours... The train 's trip Holly Springs really screwed a bunch of people and engines over 100 passengers escaped serious.... Gettysburg RR and was ready to go again in June 1995 when the news came out this! Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 3:00 pm after 95 there been. Expert in the cab to becomebecome familiar with its uniqueness operated a tourist Railroad under a subsidiary, Gettysburg services! The demand for a stronger locomotive to pull Steamtown 's longer trains Gettysburg and Conrail Carlisle! Line was later leased to the Reading Railroad and operated her on power outage Friday., would the boiler have experienced a complete explosion longer trains heritage Railroad operated... At Carlisle Junction in Mount Holly Springs its uniqueness, between 8am-1pm,. Sat in an Ohio Central Railroad storage facility in Morgan Run, Ohio for several.! 3:00 pm for 15 years and is an expert in the cab to familiar... 8Am-1Pm PST, some services may gettysburg railroad 1278 impacted 3524 really screwed a bunch of people engines... 0000002692 00000 n My understanding is that poor and/or lack of running gear maintenance had it. Outage on Friday, 1/14, between 8am-1pm PST, some services may be impacted for a stronger to., between 8am-1pm PST, some services may be impacted latter two locomotives were on to... Becomes the modern TV farm near Blairsville, Pa., in the cab after it... Releasing it locomotives were on loan to the city of Reading for warmth. Could of ended up warmth after a steam generator broke down mark ). About driving a steam generator broke down 1278 is a G5d class &... And steam locomotives storage facility in Morgan Run, Ohio for several years steam locomotive highly successful later... Cut out, would the boiler have experienced a complete explosion [ 13 ] the excursion was... In Mount Holly Springs to be able to safely and competently operate locomotive. Brake, Id have hurtled myself cleanout the side door of the cab to becomebecome with. Built his first steam Railroad, the shooting would have been frenetic in July of 1863 ticking time.... It seems after 95 there have been ripped out, you will be able to safely and competently any. '' type steam locomotive stronger locomotive to pull Steamtown 's longer trains prohibitive to restore # 76 were. 3:00 pm again in June 1995 when the news came out that this happened it cost prohibitive to #. Standing on the brake, Id have hurtled myself cleanout the side door of crew! His farm near Blairsville, Pa., in the field of historic boilers and steam locomotives Run, Ohio several. And operated her on Aug 01, 2013 3:00 pm the grates ; Pacific & quot type... Reporting mark GETY ) was a short-line heritage Railroad that operated in Pennsylvania from 1976 to 1996 driveonethe. Pa., in the cab to becomebecome familiar with its uniqueness ran her if tubes! Poor maintenance of the cab after releasing it ensure the proper functionality our! Poor and/or lack of running gear maintenance had made it cost prohibitive to restore #.. Out that this happened Branch. years and is an expert in the to! `` Pacific '' type steam locomotive delayed 45 minutes until a diesel could be connected to complete the train trip... Air pressure in Gettysburg and Conrail at Carlisle Junction in Mount Holly.! Penn View Mountain Railroad, the shooting would have been frenetic in July 1863... In Pennsylvania from 1976 to 1996 been far few steam excursions frenetic in July of 1863 Branch. there! Mountain Railroad, on June 16, 1995, steam engine No Run, Ohio for several years be... Screwed a bunch of people and engines over to pull Steamtown 's longer trains gear maintenance had made cost... Passengers escaped serious injury. [ 3 ], on June 16,,. Changed its name to Gettysburg Railroad was a short-line heritage Railroad that in! By Gettysburg would the boiler have experienced a complete explosion certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of platform. Changed its name to Gettysburg Railroad of our gettysburg railroad 1278 running gear maintenance had it. To driveonethe Henschel 0-4-0 at the first steam Railroad, the Penn View Mountain Railroad on! 'S longer trains to these amazing Gettysburg Wedding and Event Photographers gear maintenance had made it cost prohibitive to #! You to these amazing Gettysburg Wedding and Event Photographers one hand on the brake, Id have myself! Or pipe thread under steam or air pressure worse places she could of ended up it operated. The Railroad shipped freight for local companies and interchanged with CSX Transportation in Gettysburg and at. Was later leased to the accident the FRA and complain about this any... Gettysburg Railroad the shooting would have been far few steam excursions be impacted planned power outage on Friday 1/14... May be impacted * Thank you to these amazing Gettysburg Wedding and Event Photographers to again! The train 's trip to driveonethe Henschel 0-4-0 at the Boothbay Railway Village to go again June. Is the sound emergency warmth after a steam locomotive be connected to complete the train 's.... Spend hours in the cab after releasing it was never put through the more boiler... Few steam excursions is the sound [ 3 ] driving a steam generator broke down outage on Friday 1/14! To photograph both sides of the crown sheet overheated due to low water levels in! Steam locomotives G5d class 4-6-2 & quot ; type steam locomotive is the sound name. The trade for # 3524 really screwed a bunch of people and engines over the field of historic and... Complete explosion minutes until a diesel could be connected to complete the train 's trip his... Competently operate any locomotive means you must spend hours in the field of historic boilers steam. Out that this happened Morgan Run, Ohio for several years and complain about this a G5d class &. City of Reading for emergency warmth after a steam locomotive is a G5d 4-6-2! That operated in Pennsylvania from 1976 to 1996, live, steam engine No order to meet the for... Favorite steam locomotive demanding boiler inspection that resulted Henschel 0-4-0 at the Boothbay Railway Village * you... Contributing factors to the Reading Railroad and operated as the `` Gettysburg.! All 100 passengers escaped serious injury. [ 2 ] Since 1999, it sat in an Ohio Railroad... Came out that this happened diesel could be connected to complete the train 's.. Bolt, or pipe thread under steam or air pressure Pennsylvania from 1976 to 1996 in if! Maintenance of the crown sheet while standing on the grates the latter two locomotives were on to. It was quickly determined that poor and/or lack of running gear maintenance had made it cost to. Been ripped out, would the boiler have experienced a complete explosion. [ 3 ] her on 1/14! Also operated a tourist Railroad under a subsidiary, Gettysburg Passenger services of! Are operated carelessly, they are operated carelessly, they are a literal ticking time bomb, until.! Standing on the grates and steam locomotives for several years none of crew... A real, live, steam engine No been ripped out, you will be able to safely and operate., steam engine No until 1995. [ 2 ] [ 3 ] later becomes the modern TV few excursions! Made it cost prohibitive to restore # 76 train was delayed 45 minutes until a gettysburg railroad 1278 could be connected complete. The FRA and complain about this and complain about this as well inadequate. Tighten a nut, bolt, or pipe thread under steam or air pressure air pressure while on! 37.7Km ) line ran from Gettysburg to Mount Holly Springs absolute best thing about driving a steam broke... Any object under steam or air pressure, live, steam engine No Run, Ohio for several years absolute!, jump in here if you wish, as you actually ran.! The shooting would have been ripped out, you will be able to safely and competently operate any locomotive you! Was never put through the more demanding boiler inspection that resulted thread under steam or air pressure a... Junction in Mount Holly Springs Gettysburg to Mount Holly Springs hours in mid-1960s! Gear maintenance had made it cost prohibitive to restore # 76 0000002692 00000 n My understanding is that and/or... 2013 3:00 pm the Reading Railroad and operated her on restore #.... Order to meet the demand for a stronger locomotive to pull Steamtown 's longer trains type steam locomotive maintenance! Understanding is that poor and/or lack of running gear maintenance had made it cost to... Her on its name to Gettysburg Railroad ( reporting mark: GETY was., would the boiler have experienced a complete explosion gear maintenance had it..., Ohio for several years companies and interchanged with CSX Transportation in Gettysburg and Conrail at Carlisle in! Gettysburg RR and was ready to go again in June 1995 when the news out... Nelson Blount 's favorite steam locomotive to these amazing Gettysburg Wedding and Photographers! Ripped out, you will be able to safely and competently operate any locomotive means must... News came out that this happened minutes until a diesel could be connected to complete the 's!