@BlueComet400 posted:Leapin' Larry brings up a good point. As long as the trucks are replaced with 2-rail-compatible trucks, you should be good to go. Bottom line, if you think it would look good, then go for it. Lionel did a similar thing in the 30s with the 763e Hudson: they mated it with the tinplate 2600-series passenger cars and it is a beautiful train.
I was just going to mention this. I have the mth version that came with a tinplate Vanderbuilt style tender and of course use it to pull tinplate hoppers It looks great. I would think if the general look is aesthetically pleasing to you than go for it. If you are running powered 2 rail track then obviously you would have to deal with the electrical end to prevent shorts and get power to the lights, but I suspect you already thought about that.
Good luck with your project
