I think the trick to getting good results from a rattle can is knowing how the paint works - how thick or thin it wants to go on, how many coats, etc. Once you get results you like, stick with it!
SR's Alexandria shops had a peculiar way of driving the lubricator from the expansion link, and I finally figured out how get mine together:
A locomotive running around with its valve gear on center looks silly once you know how it's supposed to look. I had also hoped to put the valve gear in forward by mounting the radius bar lower in the expansion link, but for various reasons I had to abandon that here. It certainly tops my least of features I wish our engines had.
The parts pile is gone, the paint is on, and it's time for re-assembly!