Sound advice all around, I appreciate people chiming in. But as @Norton pointed out, the best way for me to learn is to do it myself. Also, one of the aspects about this hobby I enjoy is the option to work with my hands - benchwork, etc. Upgrading my own locomotive is one more avenue for such work.
John, I actually have a few diecast conventional steamers, including an old NYC L-3a Mohawk (6-18009) from the 90s? that I wouldn't mind upgrading. Very long tender and long boiler, that is probably one of the best steamers I have for practice. It also has the added bonus of being relatively cheap (at least compared to today's models) and not too difficult to find - if I royally screw up I can always shop for another and try again. Thank you all again for the wisdom!
