Anyone know an "easy" way to model a Belpaire firebox? I've been looking at updating a few Con-Cor 2-10-2 models into PRR N2sa's. I know some folks have done it and would appreciate if someone could show me in the right direction. It doesn't look like there are too many potential models that could serve as donors to the cause.
There is a much better option than the ConCor loco but it takes a bit more work. The ConCor 2-10-2 is unreasonably out of scale when it comes to length. My sugestion is to order the N-track Steam Locomotive handbook or pick up the last 2-3 copies of Model Railroad Craftsman with a continuing article by Max Magliaro on building a PRR 2-10-0. Both have excelent articles on how to make a 2-10-? out of a Kato Mikado. The Concor loco is not the best starting point. As far as the Belpair boiler, buy some scrap Minitrix K-4 Pacifics or 2-10-0 Decapods and use the boilers from them for kitbash material. You could always fabricate it out of brass or or sheet styrene. Check out Dave Vollmers build of a PRR H-10 out of a Spectrum Consolidation in the N-Trak handbook as well as picures here: Dave Vollmer's N Scale Pennsy Middle Division Not a belpair boiler but here is the 2-10-2 that I referenced in the N-Trak Steam book: [/url]
If you can get a hold of a few Minitrix K4 shells, there's your start. As of last month you could order those Trix shells seperately from Model Power. Good luck!
The president of our Ntrak club has done some nice conversions using the Trix Belpaire as a "graft on". You can see some of his fine work at the Twin Tiers NTrak website and click on Ed Thomas' layout. Some of his motive power can be seen there.
