Thanks for the reply.  The C&O version has a bunch of stuff mounted on the front.  It is difficult to see, but I believe it is the pilot mounted headlight that is the problem.  It looks like loosening a screw above the pilot truck I can get enough movement to push the headlight out of the way.  After I put in my own more flexible wiring harness I'll give it another try.

I had to perform some minor maintenance on a C&O 4-8-2.  Reassembly is a bit of a puzzle as far as the front end goes.  There are interference fits between the smokebox shell and the front ladders and smokebox stays.  Does anyone have information on the assembly sequence for this model.  I don't want to modify it in any way to 'make it fit.'