02-03-2013, 03:28 PM
I haven't yet found any reliable references about the wood decking that the tender water tank/coal bin sat on, so what I offer here is more conjecture than fact.
Simply put, the wood decking was there to support the bottom of the water tank, evenly across its front to back and side to side dimensions. This practice was done away with when cast "waterbottoms" came into use, as they were strong enough to not require additional support, and were an integral part of the frame. the wood decking also helped distribute the weight of the fuel ( coal, or oil ) better along and across the tender's otherwise open frame. Part of the normal locomotive overhaul, would have been the removal of the tender body, and the replacement of the wood decking.
It is good to see that detail being modeled here !
Simply put, the wood decking was there to support the bottom of the water tank, evenly across its front to back and side to side dimensions. This practice was done away with when cast "waterbottoms" came into use, as they were strong enough to not require additional support, and were an integral part of the frame. the wood decking also helped distribute the weight of the fuel ( coal, or oil ) better along and across the tender's otherwise open frame. Part of the normal locomotive overhaul, would have been the removal of the tender body, and the replacement of the wood decking.
It is good to see that detail being modeled here !
We always learn far more from our own mistakes, than we will ever learn from another's advice.
The greatest place to live life, is on the sharp leading edge of a learning curve.
Lead me not into temptation.....I can find it myself!
The greatest place to live life, is on the sharp leading edge of a learning curve.
Lead me not into temptation.....I can find it myself!