ASTM International’s amusement rides and devices committee is creating a standard that will establish new inspection and maintenance requirements for steam trains in amusement parks.

The manufacturers of original steam trains are no longer in existence and therefore unable to offer advice for maintenance and operation guidance. The committee’s proposed standard will provide minimum maintenance requirements that are predominantly centred on historic practices. The standard will also use current railway industry benchmarks.

Ron Lwin, senior quality engineer for Walt Disney World, commented: “The steam locomotives typically found in amusement parks, museums, and at tourist railroads may not currently have an appropriate maintenance standard to reference.

“This standard will serve as the primary reference for maintenance requirements of steam locomotives,” Lwin added.