I'm currently constructing a scaled-down version of Union Pacific's diesel service facility opened in Salt Lake City in 1955.  The interior will be detailed and include an EMD GP9 being serviced (using a "blue box" dummy unit, Walthers 567 prime mover, and Cannon Company doors).  My hope is to carefully cut away the existing doors on one side of the shell then install the Cannon Company doors in their open positions so the prime mover is visible.

I'm hoping some of the more involved loco "tinkerers" here who are crafty and like to repower or swap shells/frames of one manufacturer between each other can help me answer this one. 

I see that Walthers is doing another run of its NW2. Since they are doing my prototype (C&O) this time, I was thinking of pre-ordering one or two. Does anyone have one from a prior run that they'd like to report on as far as running quality and the details?

I guess there's a BLI model out there too, but apparently not in my road and now discontinued.

Improving Our Steam Engines Performance

I'll admit right up front, I am a hopeless steam engine fan. And the last 10-20 years has seen some really marvelously detailed plastic steamers that often rival the brass ones. And those plastic ones run better (smoother, better electrical pick-up, etc, etc) than many of the brass ones.