The Belpaire Firebox was a type of firebox created in 1864 by Alfred Belpaire. To summarize, this firebox’s design had an improved transfer of heat and steam production because of its greater surface area at the top. Here’s 5 Locomotives that either had filthy in the smokebox, Chunky Belpaire fireboxes but got in shape later,

or the class was originally built with regular round top fireboxes but were rebuilt with a Belpaire Firebox.

5 - New York Central G Class Consolidation #913

Unlike The Pennsylvania Railroad, The New York Central almost never bothered to use The Belpaire Firebox. With only a few exceptions being 2-8-0 consolidations, that didn’t really work out because the very next decade the arrival of NYC Mohawks would take over freight trains, only 2 NYC Consolidations are preserved, both are in very bad condition.

4 - Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Class 27 & 28

The L&YR Class 28 was a class of mixed traffic 0-6-0 tender engines. The L&YR Class 28 was a rebuild of 63 L&YR Class 27 rebuilds and 43 new builds between 1909-1912. Improvements being a Belpaire Firebox, bigger cylinders and superheating, none of the L&YR Class 28 members were preserved but there is a preserved L&YR Class 27 that is cared for.

3 - NSW 36 Class or The Pigs

This class was designed in 1925 for New South Wales’ Passenger Service, better known as The Pigs because of their big snout looking smokeboxes. Originally The Pigs had round top fireboxes, but by the 1950s all class members except 2 would be rebuilt with Belpaire Fireboxes which increased tractive effort from 30,500 lbf to 33,890 lbf. Old drivers said that The Pigs was capable of reaching 160+ kph, which would be impressive considering The Pigs are 4-6-0 Ten Wheelers with 69 inch drive wheels. The last modification would be the Giesl Oblong Ejector, but due to the introduction of Diesels only Pig 3616 would receive the Giesl Oblong Ejector, 3 Pigs are preserved.

2 - LMS Rebuilt Patriot or Baby Scots

The London Midland & Scottish Railway Patriot Class was a class of 52 Ten Wheelers made for the LMS‘ Express Passenger Trains. The class is also called The Baby Scots because the chassis of the class is based of the chassis of the Royal Scots. Only 18 members between 1946-1949 would be rebuilt with LMS Type 2A Boilers, while the remaining 34 members would remain with the G9½S Boilers. Withdraws ended in 1966, it was impossible to save an LMS Patriot because all members were cut up at Crewe Works. But a replica LMS 5551 will be built and be named The Unknown Warrior.

1 - LMS Rebuilt Royal Scot

~~Instead of Hughes’ Expensive Compound 4-6-2 Pacific~~ The LMS would choose The Royal Scot Class to be built for Heavy Express Passenger in 1927-1930. These 3 Cylinder 4-6-0 Ten Wheelers with G10¼S boilers would have the most famous member ~~6151 The King's Dragoon Guardsman~~ 6100 Royal Scot has a visit America in 1933,  amazingly, the locomotive did not suffer any mainline failures in hot weather to freezing temperature. After the failure of LMS Experimental High Pressure 4-6-0 3 Cylinder 6399 Fury, the experiment was rebuilt with an LMS Type 2A Boiler, renumbered 6170 and was renamed British Legion. The 6170 would clearly be the prototype for the Rebuilt Royal Scot Class, rebuilds began in 1943 with the last member being rebuilt in 1955. 2 Rebuilt Royal Scots have been preserved 46115 and 46100.

5 Steam Engines that Got In Shape or The Belpaire Firebox Upgrade