[PRR-talk] Interesting N2sa Variations

[Bruce Smith]

On Mar 10, 2008, at 5:47 AM, Doug Kisala wrote:

> Hello list,
>
> I just got my Walthers Heritage HO PRR N2s.  While I'm
> still totally unsure how to redetail the engine to
> conform to my late 40s timeframe without ruining it...
<snip>
> While looking on that same page, I found a very
> interesting shot of N2sa 8460.  It has the revised
> headlight/generator locations prevalent on many K4s,
> L1s, H9s, M1/M1a/M1b and I1sa engines.  This was a new
> variation on a theme for me.
>
> http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/prr8408.jpg

While retaining the clawfoot markers on the pilot <G>.

For the same reason as Doug, I too have been surfing that site,  
looking at N2sa variations.  It seems as if the great majority of  
N2sa retained the "as re-built" look for their lifetimes, with the  
classical positions for headlight, generator, pilot markers.  I find  
that the tender coal boards are extended in post WWII photos, but  
original in pre-WWII photos, indicating that this modification  
occurred sometime in the early 1940's.

As for modifying the Walthers 2-10-2, so far I have the following list:
1) Add Belpaire firebox - either scratchbuilt or a resin copy from  
another loco
2) New firebox front - Cal Scale
3) PRR headlight, generator, bell, blowdown muffler. clawfoot markers...
4) redo handrails, some piping
5) tender coal boards?

The Walthers model has Southern valve gear and PRR's N2sa fleet was a  
mix of that and Walschaerts, so you have to pick numbers carefully.   
A loco with Southern does make a nice change <G>.  It looks like most  
of the stuff under the running boards was not changed when PRR  
modified the locos, so that part is pretty straightforward.

Regards
Bruce

Bruce F. Smith
Auburn, AL
http://www.vetmed.auburn.edu/index.pl/bruce_f._smith2

"Some days you are the bug, some days you are the windshield."
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