Re: SV 2-6-6-2s - With and Without Tanks

The sidetank issue is interesting. Only #250 ran with both side tanks and tender and then only for a few months. SVRy did not know if the
engines would be too "slippery" without the
weight of the water in the tanks. They knew they needed more capacity for water than
the tanks allowed, thus the tenders were added.
#250 was run with her tanks in place but without
water in them for a couple months. The test worked and the SVRy shops decided they could cut down the tanks on both engines so long as they
added ballast in the form or concrete and rail to the running boards to make up for the loss of the tank weight.
#251 was the first to be converted to a tankless - tender engine while #250 still ran with her tanks and tender awaiting her turn for the final conversion process.
Martin