I really liked that paint scheme...had an almost Espee Daylight look to it

A quick update. I reworked the pilot truck mount, so now the truck should have plenty of vertical freedom of motion. An even bigger challenge was the crosshead guides. They're now done and mounted, and I'm presently working on the crossheads themselves, to be followed by the rods.

Two steps forward and one step back? It would be nice to do that well. All through this project I've pushed forward, knowing there are things I want to redo. Well, the engine was ready for finishing touches when I broke off a cylinder. This was one of those I'll-fix-it-later things. Essentially the cylinders were held by a 1/16" plastic extension which had two holes through them. Both cylinders are now supported very strongly, but I'm taking the time to refine the lower cylinder saddle and pilot truck mounting, too. So it's more like zero steps forward, five steps backward.

I think I've dug myself out of the last round of setbacks related to the cylinders and front truck. Further, I've got the attachment of the chassis to the superstructure done, and by way of a nice heavy weight right between the drivers. I've also made the boiler dome bases, and the platform for the tender frame. It feels good, and I sense the end is not far off.

Again, when I finish construction, I'll post photos. No use wasting time documenting all that didn't work. Plus, you can see what will actually need painting, and hopefully offer your ideas about it.

A few days ago, I picked up two of these Nutcracker coaches. These are the first of the Lionel General passenger cars with the clerestory roof. When I got them, they were fresh out of the set, and had silver painted archbar trucks. I had some wood beam trucks without couplers that I modified by mounting the stock archbar truck couplers to them.

Let me know what you think. I'll be making more changes to these cars, in time. Feel free to offer suggestions.

A quickie update. I finished the new smokestack. I'm back to working on the tender. Using the tank from the battery engine feels like a cheat. I may re-make it from scratch.

great! if you can please post some pictures, we all like construction photos.

Good luck with that!

When the construction is done, but before I paint it, I'll post photos.

In spite of what I said earlier, I've been working on the tender tank from the battery loc. It will get me finished faster, and I can always go back and do something different.

When the construction is done, but before I paint it, I'll post photos.

In spite of what I said earlier, I've been working on the tender tank from the battery loc. It will get me finished faster, and I can always go back and do something different.[/quote
alrighty then.