In the early days of railroading in America, piston rods also extended forward through the cylinder's front casing. This caused enough problems the practice was abandoned—such as steam leakage, having the rod break off, and the rod striking a switchman or fireman standing on the running boards. The rear piston rod is also subject to breakage but constrained between the piston guides and the crosshead, it suffers less lateral motion than the front piston rod.