Wes, did those "ear flaps" with the stars on them that are found beside the headlight on many Indonesian steam locomotives have any purpose, or were they just decoration? I've always wondered. ???
Smoke deflectors. Some North American locos had them too - CN did in the 1940s anyway.
?? ?? ?? Are you referring to "elephant ears", like this?
I certainly wouldn't say they resembled "ear flaps" on a Winter hat, nor are they beside the headlight. Note that the Krupp Mikado has both "ear flaps" and "elephant ears".
Now, tell me which North American locomotives had those odd shapes right beside the headlight, please!