Steam engine to tender decks

There has to be room for steps on each side of the cab, so that affects the width of an apron. Also, some cab steps were on tenders.

The only detail that steam locomotives have in common is the gauge that they were designed for, and that varies, too.

Experiment with aprons of different widths. Use those that look and work best. Or research specific locomotives and go from there.

I was not able to find pics of the prototype engine in question (NYC Niagara) but did find a few of different scale models. In this case my question is moot as the MTH version does not have a correct cab to begin with. A number of the brass models I found show the cab overhangs the rear of the frame while the MTH model I am working on has the rear of the cab flush with the frame. All of the aprons on the models are wider than the cab opening. Modifying the frame and cab to match the prototype is not going to happen at this time. I plan to make this apron wider than the cab opening and then modify it to fit this engine.

Pete

I have Al Staufer's "Steam Power of the NYC", volume 1.  While there are many photos of Niagaras none clearly show the cab detail.  As Readingfan pointed out sometimes the steps were on the tender rather than the loco - the Niagara is one of them.

While the photos weren't much help, in the back of the book are line drawings of the locomotives and tenders.  The PT tender clearly has a deck plate with the steps BUT there is also a line extending from the cab over the tender deck.  It is only a line, not a picture, but maybe it helps.

i imagine that our model cab backs and tenders are flat for the same reason diaphragms don't touch; scales deck plates would be problematic.

i can try to send you a scan of the book if you think it will help.

dan