Re: SAR 25NC "Molly" (Greg)

Greg,
According to Wardale, the 3450 was the last of the original class 25NCs and was the only class 26, a class Wardale made up for his modified loco. The 25C's and 25NC's were basically the same loco. In the base of the smokebox, the large holes required for the condensing locos were blocked off in the NCs. In order to get the extra space he needed for the exhaust system, Wardale had the plate blocking the opening removed. My memory was incorrect: I was originally thinking that the 3450 had been converted to an non-condenser.
Again, not disagreeing with your assessment of the condition of the Red Devil at the time you saw it. I've heard similar accounts from others visiting in the 90's.
Bill Hobbs