I remember being taught by a very old head engineer how to run with lower than normal water. The first time it did it I went through a pack of cigars in about half an hour! I keep that tool in the bag for extreme circumstances only,definitly not for daily use.

For the record, it was NOT the Bridgton & Harrison that ended with a derailment, but rather the Wiscasset Waterville & Farmington. It occured on June 15, 1933 when a southbound train with engine #8 derailed. The crew took the mail on a hand car to end the trip and the wreck sat there for four years before being cut up for scrap.
See http://www.wwfry.org for the "rest of the story".