OK, you got me there Mr Deets !!! Thanks for your encouragement also.

Just NOW I had a talk with our co-conspirators, and I think it's OK to say that we're getting off dead center. We just might be doing some crowing next year, after all....

This view of Soo Line mike 3010 does a good job of illustrating the concept:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/25967611@ ... ed-public/

Note the "door" to the running board is nothing more than a trapezoidal window, typical of large boilered engines, thus the need for an alternate route from cab to running board. Also note the awning is independent of the long handhold above the window.

Maybe that arrangement is just what the doctor ordered for the Soo Line, but The Saddletanker of My Dreams would fit in the coal space of a great big hog like that --- I believe a couple grab irons inside the cab, one over each side window, ought to work just fine for Audrey. With a bit of luck, and more time, effort, and money spent on her, maybe we'll be able to let some of you old heads try it out for yourselves someday. Bet you'll like it...