Steam Locomotive Firebox Explosion on the Gettysburg Railroad near Gardners, Pennsylvania June 16, 1995

About 7:20 p.m. on June 16, 1995, the firebox crownsheet of Gettysburg Passenger Services, Inc., steam locomotive 1278 failed while the locomotive was pulling a six-car excursion train about 15 mph near Gardners, Pennsylvania. The failure resulted in an instantaneous release (explosion) of steam through the firebox door and into the locomotive cab, seriously burning the engineer and the two firemen. The firemen were taken by ambulance to area hospitals. The engineer, who had third-degree burns over 65 percent of his body, was airlifted to a burn center near Philadelphia. None of the 310 passengers or other crewmembers were injured. Locomotive damage was limited to the firebox grates and crownsheet, with some ancillary smoke and debris damage to the locomotive cab.

Investigators found that the crownsheet failed from overheating because the traincrew had allowed the water in the locomotive boiler to drop to a level that was insufficient to cover the crownsheet. When the investigators examined the locomotive components closely, they found that the boiler and its associated equipment had not been maintained well enough to ensure safe operation and that some repairs had been done incorrectly. Investigators determined that the deficiencies were the result of a lack of the specialized knowledge, skills, and training necessary to properly maintain a steam locomotive. It was further determined that those operating the locomotive did not understand the full scope of their duties and did not coordinate their efforts to ensure the highest degree of safety.

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.

Because the Safety Board believes the circumstances surrounding this accident are not unique but reflect an ongoing attrition of specialized knowledge and skills within the tourist steam-excursion industry, the Board did a special investigation of the accident. As a result of its investigation, the Safety Board makes seven recommendations to the Federal Railroad Administration, three recommendations to the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors, and four recommendations to the Tourist Railway Association, Inc.