I decided to improve the look of one of my only three pieces of prewar Lionel. I didn't see a quick way of removing the stanchions(?) for the grab rails, so I taped them off and spray painted the tank. Not the best, but I wasn't trying to restore it, just make it look a little better to run once I get a locomotive. Then I used a chisel tipped "Deco-color" gold leaf paint marker from Walmart to paint over the grab rails. That marker is excellent for the brass color grab rails, although on the domes the paint pooled a little in spots. For a splapdash ham-handed effort I think the car came out pretty good. Before and after:
I also used sections of track to start mocking up what I want to do with a future 0-27 toy train layout. Where the H0 track is now will be the approximate location of the lower level 0-27 loop. The existing H0 track passes under the upper level 4 times, which I find visually interesting and plan to retain when I change it to 0-27. I'm thinking it will have a crossover in the middle to change direction at least once. I don't want an X crossing in the middle, so I might add a turnaround somewhere else so trains can change directions both ways without backing up. It will probably have one siding outside each side of the lower level. For visual interest, the siding will duck inside three of the trestles before rejoining the main line as in the photo below. I rebuilt three of the trestles wider so the trestle may be turned at an angle to allow the track to enter and exit without S-curves.
