Mantua/Tyco 2-8-2

[ocalicreek]

biL has already given you really good info, but I'll add a couple things.

You can also fill the hole with styrene rod & tube. Just cut a piece slightly oversized, coat it with AC, tap it in place and wait until it sets before cutting/sanding away the excess. If there's no styrene rod of a close size handy, find some old sprue (you do have some in a box somewhere, right?)

As for the feedwater heater, unless you really want another kind or dislike the one that's on there, I'd leave it there. There are ways to add detail to that basic casting like a thin brass or styrene overlay with rivet detail, associated piping coming into and out of the housing, etc. Filing it away shouldn't be too hard with a good clean, sharp file.

Galen