Dudgeon's and Stanley Steamers are now treasured reminders of the history of steam. Like the old steam caliope's music, you can tell the circus is com'n. Todays boiler operaters are well trained, technicians. Water treatment and analysis keep the boilers free from water deposits that caused many of the early boiler failures. Regulation by states and insurance companys, specify the basic boiler designs, materials, and safe operating practices.
Many states require that the boiler operator be licensed to operate boilers.
State annual inspection of the boiler and pressure vessels insures that they are operated and maintain in a safe manner. Modern boilers are digitally controlled, hooked to computers, and have effieciencys that would have been unimaginable to the coal mine operators of the 18th century. Modern boiler rooms are clean and well lighted, and may look more like a chemistry lab than a coal mine. The words may have changed but the tune's the same. Below is a comparison between old 600hp boilers and new Miura boilers of the same total output.