Again, thanks for the compliments. Not much detailing work done on the locos really: headlight, markers, and bell, along with the numberboards and a new pilot air reservoir. The stack is brass tubing and the "canvas" sunshades are .003" brass shimstock. I also added a new wind deflector on the cab roof. There were probably more changes made to the tender. My intention was to keep them as close to the original USRA appearance while still giving them a "family" look. Part of the reason was to save some work and get them into service quickly. That plan went out the window when I began modifying them to increase their tractive effort.
Fluesheet, I certainly agree with you about the Trix loco, although around here they cost more for one than I paid for all four of my Athearns.
Gus, as far as I know, the Tyco/Mantua Mike is a generic loco from the era when most modellers weren't too fussy about prototypes. Cary (Bowser) makes boilers to fit the Mantua drive that will convert it into a very good-looking version of either the light or heavy USRA Mikado. If I could find a couple of cheap Mantua drives, I'd build a couple, as they have good pulling power with all that built-in weight.
I modified a stock Mantua with a can motor and NWSL gears for my son. If I can get some photos of it, I'll post them. It looks like a cross between a CPR loco and a NYC H-10.
Wayne