Maybe you should LIMIT your painting to details...

If you kit-bash the buildings can be varied, but, must be painted MORE. ARE you working on planned and  functional ideas; or throwing the ones offered around your layout? 

 
AND...are you using a CATENARY on them...does BACHMANN offer any in N?
I found KATO does. but, would prefer to keep my sets BACHMANN...

I am disappointed with AMTRAK coaches that are flat silver plastic...with my CENTENNIAL chrome finish cars...they  look awful.