Much cheaper at an auto parts store.  If you have lots of cars, buy a whole box.  Lasts a life time even if you sell or give some to friends.
Gene

I did a very unscientific measurement, but added to the comment that the Hickens tender is also a 16,000 gallon tender, I'd say the two are very close to each other in length.  You may well be able to cut some out of the center section to shorten it.
Gene

Tom,
That would be J-2.  C&O flying pumps also graced the smoke boxes of the K-1,2,&3, H-1/8, and maybe a few of the Gs. 
Gene

The Hickens tender is about the same size.  I believe it's an oil tender only.  OTOH, the one is an eastern tender and the other a western.   I don't think they would ever be found together.
Gene

What is thought of as the C&O USRA heavy Mountain is the version as shopped.  It has flying pumps and a 16,000 gallon Vanderbilt tender as the two most visible recognition features.  It does NOT look like an "as delivered" USRA heavy Mountain. 
Gene

You solve coupler droop by placing a Kadee washer under the coupler ( that is when the car is right side up.)  The washers come in two colors, red and gray, to show the thickness.  You may need to play a bit to determine which one or ones are needed. 
The difference between the #5 and the #148 is the spring.  The #5 has a box spring that fits inside the coupler box, while the #148 has whisker springs already attached.  It is probably the coming attraction. 
The glad hand can be bent upwards by using a small needle nose pliars.  Put your finger on top of the coupler and bend the glad hand gently upwards. 
Gene

George,
The Nickle Plate used USRA light Mikados.  These are available from BLI in several variations.  Athearn will probably reissue their version in the near future, and IHC makes a plastic one.  I see no reason for Bachmann to enter that market.  IIRC, the Nickle Plate also used USRA 0-8-0s, available from Walthers-Proto. 
Be advised that Nickle Plate passenger trains only ran at night.
Gene

With the Athearn metal coupler box covers - I take a pair of needle nose pliars and gently bend the long sides of the cover INWARDS - JUST A BIT!!! before snapping them on.  The couplers go on before the frame is attached to the carbody, and it takes first finger and thumb to PUSH to seat the cover.  Then it stays there. 
Gene

I think it's a shame that so many people want to squeeze some enormous pieces of locomotion or rolling stock on a small layout.  The 4-12-2 in real life needed wide turns and big turnouts.  There's a picture of one going through a relatively small turnout at the end of its career in the Steam Locomotive Cyclopaedia, and half the UP's brass hats are clustered around, watching the drivers negotiate the frog.
My smallest radius is 30" and I think my C&O 2-10-4s are really too big for the layout.
Gene

My main objection to the Woodland Scenic foam roadbed is that it does not hold nails well.  Once the track is fastened down with glue and ballast, I assume it will be much better - but I haven't gotten to that stage yet. 
Gene

So the rolling stock has no floors?
Gene

I use both. <g>
There is no Sherwin Williams store close by, but I'm going to go with the tan.  Green trim sounds good.
Gene

Thanks Sheldon - an architect should know.  I tried an internet search for "historic house colors" and apparently couldn't get the search parameters correct - nothing of interest for exteriors. 
I think tan will do it for the farm house and then white for the super's house and a new company house row in white - weathered in soot. 
Gene

It may be the cost, since flex is less expensive than sectional.  Then, how many sections does it take to make a three foot flex track?  How much current is lost from section to section as opposed to flex track?
Gene

Rangerover,
I know that most were white.  I'm just looking for a bit of authentic variety.      After talking to my wife, who grew up in the Shenandoah Valley, I'm thinking of a light brown/beige.  I've got the old Bachmann Sears kit house, which is blue, and I'm going to paint it white and use it for the mine superintendant's house in Hannahville.  I'm probably also going to move the Classics Railroad Street company houses that I've updated back down to Nicksburg, and replace them with another set, either without the shed or with the shed all in the same place and all painted white - still company houses. 
Gene