[Steam-engine] Unqualified chief state boiler inspector

[Lorija799 at aol.com]

all, 
I just returned from out of state, where I was afforded the opportunity to 
see an inspection report from the chief state inspector done on a locomotive 
style stayed firebox boiler.  i was informed by the boiler's proprieter (and 
others) that he is openly hostile to firebox boilers, and actively seeks what he 
sees as a solution for the "problem" of "park engines" (which means anything 
that isn't a watertube boiler in a power plant).

To show you what we are up against, he listed as condemnable defects as :

1.  Flues not welded nor beaded on SMOKEBOX end, even though it was explaned 
that it has historically been railroad practice not to bead the front end of 
tubes in locomotives, and I have never, ever known of welding in of tubes on 
the firebox in as anyones' type of acceptable practice. In fact, the rear tube 
ends weren't welded in, nor had they ever been, as it was a solid fueled 
boiler.   Even though this was explained to him, he ignored it.

2.  It was the practice of the boiler's maker to countersink/flatten the 
rivit heads on the front tube sheet from the 5o'clock to the 7o'clock position to 
facilitate plug and tube removal.  There was no noticeable wastage or 
corrosion of any type in the area, but he insisted that the rivet heads were wasted, 
despite the fact they were obviously countersunk.  Again, this was explained 
and ignored.

Interestingly, he didn't want the lagging removed, said he didn't "need to 
see it."  He also indicated that the National Board was "working on historic 
boilers", and felt that it was their desire to severely curtail their operation.

As we are going to be working on some stuff inside this jurisdiction, I 
prefer not to publish his name or the state, except to say it is Southern.

Rev Jim Jake Templin