This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 174.242.73.115(talk) at 01:11, 1 July 2020(Wrong image. This isn't 1278, it's sister engine 1246.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 01:11, 1 July 2020 by 174.242.73.115(talk)(Wrong image. This isn't 1278, it's sister engine 1246.)
Shortly after 7 p.m., Friday, June 16, 1995, an explosion in the firebox of CPR 1278 burned three members of its crew. One man, James Cornell, the son of the owner of the engine, was critically injured.[2] The train that the locomotive was pulling had 310 passengers on board.[3] None of the passengers, who were taking the "Summer Eve Dinner Excursion" to Mount Holly Springs, were hurt.[2]
An investigation done by the National Transportation Safety Board determined that the accident was caused by poor maintenance and operator training. The board also pointed out that the Canadian design of the firebox may have prevented further injuries and perhaps deaths.[3]
Jerry Jacobson bought the engine at an auction in 1998, and it sat in an Ohio Central Railroad storage facility, still awaiting restoration as of 2009. As of 2016, 1278 currently resides inside the Age of Steam Roundhouse in Sugarcreek, Ohio safely out of the weather. It has had a partial cosmetic restoration to improve its looks as a static display currently.[1]