At the top and bottom of the boiler a half-inch thick steel band is welded in place.  The boiler shell will be wrapped with three layers of high-strength piano wire between the two steel bands.  The steel bands serve to protect the layers of piano wire, provide attachment points for the ends of each of the three layers of piano wires, to add strength to the ends of the boiler shell, and to provide a lip to clamp the boiler in the car as well as for the mounting of the smokebox.