has anyone attempted this or have any references or photographs of this done?
Be interesting how the possibilities unfold
You probably should be a little more specific as to which 2-8-2 you want to end up with. Most 2-8-0's had narrow fireboxes that fit between and/or above the drivers. Most 2-8-2's had much wider, longer fireboxes that only had to clear the trailing truck, with attendant changes in the boiler and cab. The reconstruction can often be pretty considerable and I'd guess often involves extending the frame.
I'm talking in general like as an expansion kitbash project, like thinking of the possibility of making a denver and salt lake or denver and rio grande western 2-8-2 or the DRGW low drivered 4-6-2 pacifics if the drivers are the same diameter
Yes, it's been done. There are photos of the kitbash posted here in 2007.
See here: -
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,2884.0.html (http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,2884.0.html)
thanks Roger, that's exactly the kind of inspiration I was looking for ;D heck that looks really closet to a USRA mike D:'