Re: What should be done with replaced tender tanks

"Most tanks are in such a worse condition that there are more rust hols in than rivet holes. Could you imagine how many parts on # 463 or any other are original?? I guess only the bouilder plates, frame, some driver centers and perhaps the bell...."
In the case of 463, even less is original. The builder's plates are repros we put on it when it was restored. It rides on its 2nd frame (at least). Driver centers might be original, the bell came from 494.
Once a tender gets to the point of leaking, there isn't much you can do except cut out the old stuff and weld in new. Eventually the original steel get so bad and rusted, there is nothing to weld to, then a new tank is in order.
The old tank is used to provide the hardware for the new one: Ladders, hatch, grab irons, brackets, etc. Once you yank all that off, you have even more holes in it. They are pretty useless for much more than a planter.