I was asked by a fellow forum member about this subject. You would remember the posts about the fire train conversions which utilized the 7000 gallon tender for a starting point. With no overhead shots that I know of for these versions, why not look at the converted I-8 8000 gallon tenders instead. I have always wanted to replicate one of these for my layout so the quest began. Luckily there was an article in the Bee Line years ago lots of good info, still no good overhead shots. My search continued. Last fall I made it my point to take some detail photos of the R&N tender they have. I didn't get the serial number, but that is I-8 heritage if there ever was. So here are some action shots to share!

Now part two. In July/August 1943 the Reading did a study in water stops for mainline freights, and along come these conversions. With great luck the coal region has the Mahanoy tunnel for that mysterious question, how did the top look? As I showed the R&N tender has a steel walk, not something customary pre WWII and so in a photo below clearly shows that wood was the medium used then sometime possibly in wreck train service the steel upgrade was made. I also included a few photos of mine that
I started earlier this year and simply forgot about it. Go figure!

awesome work! both in the model and finding the pictures!! I made my tender with the apex roofwalk as it was during the 1950s for wreck train service, and used the I10sa tender. Thanks for the information!! I also want to build a second tender for the fire train possibly using the I8 tenders.