Ok, I got lazy and stopped updating this thread (I have been updating my build thread on the O-Gauge Railroading forum) so it's time for a month worth of recap!



washout plugs made of styrene stock



Cab window before installation. The brass rod is to add strength in case someone tries to pick up the loco by the cab. Otherwise the windows will just pop out of the frame into the cab. (Ask me how I know.)


Out of all the pictures I've found of E5sas, only 1492 had class lights on the boiler front. So for a little variety, #1492 is getting class lights and a pilot deck toolbox. #1493 will not.




Cab back walls added. I painted the cab interiors with Penn Central green because it was handy.



First coat of primer. Work starting on widening the front footboard.

At this point, I figured out that after I glued the front number boards onto the headlights, I could no longer access the screws to remove said headlights. It's important that the headlight be removable to replace the bulb.

pilot deck tool box.




Steps added to valve front cover.




Bells arrived just in time to verify that the headlight mounting holes were too low, so they had to be filled.



Bell at proper height.


Next to an unmodified MTH 0-8-0 for comparison.



My custom blend of smokebox graphite. It looked great, until I painted the rest of the engine locomotive black...



Now it's clear that the smokebox is far too blue cast. Paint remix, coming up.



Much better.


Next to my personal E5sa (for decal reference.)





Figured out that numberboard problem.





The idea of clones running locomotives bothers me, so I painted the crews so they don't look so identical. FWIW I think the fireman in the green shirt looks like me.



Very close.

your work is amazing!!

Well, the locos got shipped off to their owners today. I had all but applied the front numbers in this pic. I guess I forgot to take any when I was 100% complete.

just super excellant work!!