Phase one is complete. Good news is it looks more postwar. Unfortunately, when putting the bell stanchion on it cracked in two places (cheap repro). All of them are cheap repros which were three different colors, so I sprayed each one a bright gold.
The change:


After finally getting some inspection time and taking things apart, the engine really is a POS. My example had super glue all over the cab (even though I can't find where super glue would be used). Generally quality of materials used is unbelievably cheap. I would not recommend this set.
Only a postwar set delivers the level of craftsmanship we seek.
The hours of apprenticeship spent on a small scale line are richly rewarding - The Lionel Corp.