I bought a Mantua 4-4-2 a couple of years ago that ran fairly nice but the boiler was in rough shape.  I've recently come across a couple of autions for 2-8-0 spectrum boilers on Ebay and was debating using the 2-8-0 boiler on the 4-4-2 chassis.  Anyone see too many problems wit hthe idea?  One snag I was wondering about is the driver size on the 2-8-0 vs the 4-6-0.

I have a couple of 2-8-0's that I don't want to take apart but comparing the boiler off the 4-4-2 eyeball wise it looks like a fairly close fit length wise.   I saw in an older thread some with ideas about the 4-6-0 boiler being used but I'm hoping to avoid taking a newer locomotive apart for the "kitbash"

Thanks
Par

The layouts were made using the right track software pdlethbridge suggested.

"http://www.atlasrr.com/righttrack.htm"

Because EZ track isn't in the right track software the layouts are designed with true track which is similar size wise for the purpose of planning.  In a few places I've cut some pieces of code 100 track as fitters while trying the layout out.

The software is addictive I was tinkering with the figure eight plan while watching tonights debate.

Take it easy
Par

Here are a couple of examples of 4x8 layouts I'm debating between currently.

Time period wise I'm thinking 1920's to 1930's so smaller steam engines with 40' and possibly 50' cars are what I'd be running on the layout.  I mention the time period because it has an impact on layout design considerations...  If you're wanting to model more modern equipment or larger steam engines you'll find that a shelf layout is a better option for the larger radius curves

The first 4x8 is what I'm currently trying out. The starting point for inspiration was the Atlas plywood summit layout... It's basically an up and over figure eight.



The station and DPM modular building are intended to be fairly tall to help divide the layout into a couple of scenes. 

The drawback I've found is the 3% grades with 18" radius curves.  My 2-8-0 will pull 6 to 7 cars up the grade.  Any more cars and I see wheel slip.  My proto 0-6-0 is borderline pulling 2 to 3 cars up that grade.

Another layout  that's using buzzard's cove/maggie's cove as inspiration that I might try is ths one...



The left side would have cuts in the scenery to help hide the curve where as the right side would have a pier and structures to help hide or breakup the curve. In the middle a hill  could help divide the layout's coastal side from the passing siding on the opposite side.

Operations wise I don't get as large a "yard" as I do with the figure eight but I also don't have to worry about grades so it's a bit of a trade off.

Both layouts give me the opertunity to extend the layout if I have more space in the next house.

Take it easy
Par