OK, first I want to appologise for the slight distorsion of the image. It was caused my my Mom's scanner. If I can I hopefully will be able to replace the image without the distortion.

ANYWAY..... As some of you may or may not know I have thought of a little model railroading project. Taking the chassis from an Athern/Roundhouse Old Time 2-8-0 (like that of my number 772, also posted in my gallery) and then replace the "Stock" boiler with that of the IHC (International Hobby Corp.) Old Time 4-4-0 Body shell.

Thr project would be a bit exstensive but I think worth the effort! Personaly I REALLY like the "Wagon Top" boiler design, astheticaly speaking. Hence why I want to do it, though protipicaly speaking I'm not sure how many 2-8-0's, if any, had Wagon Top Boilers.

Well what I have here is a concept scketch of what the final result would be and or look like. Keep in mind that this IS NOT to scale. When drawing the locomotive I decided that I would keep sertant parts from the original Roundhouse 2-8-0 such as the Headlight, Cab, and air pump. And I would use other parts from the IHC 4-4-0. And for final detailing I'll use brass detailparts.

Well as you can see this is a Fine looking locomotive! I am almost set with the look aside from one VERY important thing... The Smoke Stack. I don't know which kind would be bets to use, even though its for the sake of looks.

So I've made two rendisions of this design, this is the first. The locomotive pictured here has the well known "Lima Diamond" stack. As far as I know these stack were used virtualy exsclusively on their Shay Locomotives. The best modern example I can think of is the Cass Scenic Rwy. which almost ALL their locomotives use this type of stack.

I think it has a sertant look about it and I think it looks pretty good on the 2-8-0! But I'm still not entirely comitted to using it on the model. What is your say on the matter? Aslo I am open to other Smoke Stack suggestions!

PLEASE COMMENT IF YOU FAVE!!!