USATC S160

[Overseer]

When one of these beasts needs to be re-tubed... how are the tubes got into the tube holes which are to the RHS of the boiler (as seen in the photo above)?

Like nearly all US locos the whole front of the smokebox can be unbolted to provide access. With self cleaning smokeboxes the smokebox door is used far less often in normal daily running.

 

[simond]

Does the whole front come off the smokebox?

Edit - Seems Fraser’s informed post and my guess crossed in the aether