BOB2,
We have our parts nickel plated where needed, generally in lots as a fixed price for the lot. We use a method known as 'barrel plating'. I normally wait for a batch of wheel rim stampings, grab rails couplers etc. to run as a unit to keep the piece price down. This limits me to 2 - 3 batches a year. I do NOT do this myself. Nickel plating a loco. is a different job, A LOT more expensive I would believe. I had contacted several plating shops in NJ for prices on plating our wheel rims. They all averaged between $1.80 - $2.00 a rim if I had 1000 pieces or more individually plated. So you can see a loco. would be super expensive. Price ?. I guess $200 - $300 Harry 
