Hey Y’all;
Finally got around to it and made a locomotive part, one I’ve been meaning to make for about 8 years.
Don’t know its name, will have to look it up, there are at least 4 different books here which will say.
But it can be made without knowing its name.
And my body is being difficult to get along with and my hands are hurting and inflamed, and the less I look up stuff, and the less I type on here!!! 
the more modeling I can do.
So, with that being the case, I am quite pleased with the success on this tonight. 
Are several reasons for making the part, a brace for the crosshead guides.
Primary reason is durability, a couple of crosshead guides have gotten broken in the course of handling and running.
I see the primary reason for that to be absence of an important detail part of the real deal.
Q: Dimensions of part?
A: The ones which fit.
I used a cardstock scrap to make a template sized to fit.
Did look at a number of photos and drawings of appropriate vintage 4-6-0s.
Decided to go with style which has valve rod going to arm link to between-the-wheels Stephenson gear located forward of the crosshead guide brace.
And has the brace located not quite at aft end of guides.
That way the whole trial and error process, or the just as frequent error and trial process, of locating a pass-through hole in the brace is avoided.
Brace is glued to chassis but will not be secured to crosshead guides, that is to allow disassembly for repair and servicing
Locomotive is a Bachmann Big Hauler from their “Silverado” V&T set a decade back.
Yes, this wee beastie has waited a full decade for me to add this detail.
It is sloooooooooooooowly being repainted and redetailed.
Have 3 other Big Haulers and a SPC Annie, so, going to need to make a total of 10 of these.
Will need to be a bit different style pair for bumblebee Durango & Silverton one which has Walschaerts valve gear.
