As work s-l-o-w-l-y moves forward on the cylinder block, the saddle area has become the area of focus. After modifying the front and rear cylinder plate, once again I wasn't quite up to speed in figuring out how everything went together. (Of course Ed was light-years ahead of me and was already pondering smokebox issues.)
This called for a quick visit to 2925 as I already had a meeting near her haunting grounds. Visually inspecting the area in question on the full-size engine cleared up any confusion so I could see what was going and in turn, re-arrange the mental jigsaw puzzle and allow a few more pieces to fall into place.
However, even though the sun was shining for what seemed like the first time in weeks, I couldnt keep down the lump that rose in my throat. Although I know that the chances of her ever having a fire in her belly and steam coursing through her veins are practically non-existent it almost kills me to see 2925 in her current state. Such a thing of majestic power just sitting on some out-of-the-way siding under a freeway rotting away. Where she once ruled the rails second to none, now the wind, rain, and vandals rob her of her dignity and majesty. I thought back to her heyday when 2925 and her sister locomotives ruled the rails as some of the biggest, baddest, and most technologically advanced engines that steam had to offer. I guess that I should be thankful that she didnt meet her fate at the hand of the scrapyard so that at least I can see her. But when you put a racehorse out to pasture they, at least get to stretch their legs and maintain some self respect. (At least 2926 looks as if she will one day have her fires lit again!)
But I digress....... The saddle area has been tack welded together to make sure that everything fits together and that nothing is sticking out into places it shouldn't. The actual saddle piece has been cut and made (and can be partially seen laying behind the block in the picture) but is not yet attached as we need to make sure that it mates up perfectly with the smokebox. Yes, it would be that smokebox that Ed is already figuring out while I bring up the rear still congratulaing myself in finally figuring out how the cylinder block sort of fits together. Here is a picture of what we have so far.
