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[quote user="NKP guy"]  Like any good railfan of a certain age I just love steam power, whether it's on a train, powering a vessel, or even working the fields.  BUT, these steam tractors send a chill up my spine, and not a good one.  They are the only steam vehicles that are NOT liable to any kind of regulation or inspection.  Just a very few years ago (five or six?) one just like these was being driven into the Medina County (Ohio) Fairgrounds on a busy day when it simply blew up, to smithereens, and killed not only its owner/driver but at least one fairgoer and injured a number of others.  I hate to be a Cassandra on these wonderful old vehicles, but I would never go near one that has steam up.  Also, what on earth would the insurance premium be on one of these things, considering what steam train excursion insurance costs?  Or, is the truth that these machines are possibly dangerous and operated uninsured or under-insured? Thanks for this large and beautiful photo.  What a splendid (if scary) sight!     [/quote] Are you sure that traction engines are not subject to any kind of inspection?  I do recall that explosion in Ohio and reading some follow-up coverage about the deplorable condition of the boiler.  It must be the case that no regulatory inspection was performed on that engine, and I have no explanation for that if some official inspection is required.  But I thought that all boilers were subject to some type of routine inspection by the state.  I am not sure what applies to those little engines that live steamers ride around on in 4-3/4" and 7-1/2" gauge.  As small as they are, they could be very nasty if they were to explode.
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