The idea was to increaase sand capacity to the maximum and stil fit the clearance profiles. It worked very well.

And if you don't like it, put the blame where it really belongs......on the Lima 2-8-4's IC bought, which came from the factory (and on the A-1 demonstrator) with this style of sandbox.

This also increased the weight on the drivers.

You might find it interesting to note that there is at least one surviving IC Consolidation with a more conventional sand dome. IC #764 at the Museum of Transport in St. Louis appears to be a mamber of the same class, save that she was not rebuilt as recently, and therefore sports older banded steam and sand domes, slide valves (I think) with Walschartes gear, (the valves and valve gear appear to have been updated at some point,) a freight pilot, rather than a boiler tube pilot, and a slightly smaller tender. The differences between the two locomotives, which appear otherwise similair, are instructive. I presume them to be of the same class, though I'm no expert on I.C.s motive power. Show's you just how much the gents at Paducah could change a locomotive. Also gives you a god indication of just how much life they got out of 790, if she is indeed of similair vintage as I suspect. (764 dates from right aroud the turn of the century. A touch after I think, I can look it up if you're currious.) Anyway, the sandboxes do definitely give Paducah rebuilds a very distinct charachter.
Sincerely,
David Ackerman

764 photo
david_ackerman@yahoo.com