As an aside....after reading through a lot of this, I feel the need (not for speed) to make a comment that I made to someone I know some time back: In general, and after literally decades (OK, 3) of experience taking some of this stuff apart, 3RO steam locomotives are generally much friendlier when it comes to disassembly than are the "house engines" (electric/diesel). I mean, even with the high-end steamers (or mostly with them, I think), things come apart more logically and less delicately. Really - plastic diesel body shells and wee tabs that clip them together - until you break one or two - should be discontinued on the basis of mental health. The diesel truck above is in a design that I have never seen and must have been from a designer who needs a hobby.
Ironic when you compare servicing real steamers and real diesels and electrics.
