PRR's Belpaire Firebox

[glakedylan]

thinking out loud here and would be interested in replies

since the one thing (at least in my mind) that makes PRR steam unique from much of the N Scale production steam
is the Belpaire Firebox:
(1). with 3D printing now so readily useable and available, could someone produce "add on" parts to be affixed to other steam locomotives as to have the size, shape, and details of a Belpaire Firebox?
(2). yes, several models would be necessary, depending on the particular locomotive being modeled, and every dependent on the manufacturers shell, but there would be a market for such, wouldn't there?
(3). I am thinking as an alternative, if the first two options are not possible or likely, to make such parts out of styrene, polymer clay, putty, or something else that can be shaped to the proper configuration...but where would one start to know dimensions and other particulars?
thanks for any remarks
with appreciation--

[learmoia]

thinking out loud here and would be interested in replies

since the one thing (at least in my mind) that makes PRR steam unique from much of the N Scale production steam
is the Belpaire Firebox:
(1). with 3D printing now so readily useable and available, could someone produce "add on" parts to be affixed to other steam locomotives as to have the size, shape, and details of a Belpaire Firebox?
(2). yes, several models would be necessary, depending on the particular locomotive being modeled, and every dependent on the manufacturers shell, but there would be a market for such, wouldn't there?
(3). I am thinking as an alternative, if the first two options are not possible or likely, to make such parts out of styrene, polymer clay, putty, or something else that can be shaped to the proper configuration...but where would one start to know dimensions and other particulars?
thanks for any remarks
with appreciation--

Are you talking 'just' the firebox or a replacement shell for a mechanism

Making 3D models of PRR steam to fit over existing mechinisms is a good idea..

Doing 'just' the firebox, I think your going to then find there is alot more to a PRR locomtoive than just the firebox... (Cab, Boiler, domes, tender).. to where putting a PRR Firebox on an USRA model is going to look more out of place then the USRA model painted PRR.

Plus if your going to go through the effort to 3D design a firebox, you might a well do the entire boiler, cab, ect.. The additional material cost in 3d Printing would make worth it.  Then you know everything is correct...

But I don't have any skin in the game..

~Ian

[sirenwerks]

PRR wasn't the only road to use Belpaires.  GN used the design too.

[Dave V]

PRR wasn't the only road to use Belpaires.  GN used the design too.

...proving at least one other US railroad had good taste!   

[victor miranda]

my understanding is that the larger railroad gave belpaire fireboxes a trial.
so if you look at old photos you will see them.
2-8-0 and 4-6-0 locos were often the subjects of the trials

as far as models go... most boilers are not 'convertable'  in that just setting a
belpaire box over the boiler won't be the only change needed.

3-d printing shells may be the way to go.
the shell should be mated to a chassis from the start of the  designing.

with the use of coreless motors seemingly becoming common
I'd say it should not be too hard to create somewhat generic chassis
to go under them.

price may be a factor...

victor

[Spikre]

 
   Burlington had a number of Belpaire boilers also,mostly small locos
   of early 1900s vintage.
   B&O had a number from when PRR contolled them,one was similar to
  the H6 class.
    there were other experimentals also.
       Spikre
         

[learmoia]

   Burlington had a number of Belpaire boilers also,mostly small locos
   of early 1900s vintage.
   B&O had a number from when PRR contolled them,one was similar to
  the H6 class.
    there were other experimentals also.
       Spikre
         

Wouldn't the CNJ Cammelbacks be designed for the same reasons?  Not Belpaire's but another beneficiary of this model design theory..
~Ian