Hi all,
I can't stress enough when shipping a model, really good packing is always important and proper foam packing of hand rails and end pilots is part of it. The following pictorial is how I addressed this repair. I hope this gives an idea or answers a question or two on your model.
Thanx Thom...

Photo 1 Shows opening the box. Hummm? What have we here?




Photo 2 I notice this model is not factory painted/lettered so no collector value is lost.




Photo 3 Shows the front pilot and railings bent along with the front walkway. (wunda bar)~





Photo 4 Shows the rear pilot and railings are bent along with the rear walkway. (good times coming my way)~





Photo 5 Shows the rear pocket is pushed in pretty good. Wow, this model might look good on a layout as is (just like the prototype huh)~




Photo 6 Shows the rear truck touching tank. Hummm? What's going on here?




Photo 7 Shows the top lift rings got crushed as well. (I hope the engineer wasn't drinking hot coffee during this wreck)~





Photo 8 Show after grit blasting and repairing the pilot and some broke cast stanchions.





Photo 9 Show after grit blasting and repairing rear pilot area.





Photo 10 Shows after grit blasting all lifting paint chips.




Photo 11 Shows grit blasting all lifting paint rear and of course re-solder all loose joints as I go.




Photo 12 Shows no worries, even the prototype's has the same problem with shipping engines as well. (ha).





Photo 13 Shows a lot of electronics just on the frame. This part covers the step lights and the control stand gauge lights.





Photo 14 Shows lots of wiring for the 23 leds on the model operated by 6 functions. (I had no choice but to use motor winding wires to cut down on space).





Photo 15 Shows the prototype control stand with plenty of lighted gauges and buttons.





Photo 16 Shows the model control stand 3 color and truck lights lit up.





Photo 17 Shows weathering even in cab area.





Photo 18 Shows plenty of detail decals also in cab and on the stand. (sorry I didn't take a close up here)~





Photo 19 Shows many texture weathering layers of rust peeling paint on the trucks, frame and fuel tank.





Photo 20 Shows the roof hatch with decals added.





Photo 21 Shows the yellow paint has two coats with two different colors using salt technique for weathering base.(Same for the black paint as well).





Photo 22 Shows so much attention to tiny details from paint to decals.





Photo 23 Shows the roof paint with flat and gloss black using the salt technique.




Photo 24 Shows space is at a premium with the decoder, cap-pak, cell phone speaker w/baffle and all resister/wires installed. Note: the cab light block which also allows cab interior lit up.





Photo 25 Shows even the fuel tank received weight and been shaped to clear drive line u-joints for 22" radius and no. 4.5 switches or bigger.





Photo 26 Show the tank ends were shaped for clearances. Once painted it's hard to see from normal viewing.





Photo 27 Shows prepping the trucks to receive the all wheel pickup pads. Note: the gear boxes and truck level has already been adjusted prior to this point of the build.






Photo 28 Shows the truck side frames received plenty of weathering via the salt technique as well. Note: all 8 journals and springs were adjusted for smooth articulation.






Enough detailed build pics. Now it's time for some eye candy!




Photo 29






Photo 30





Photo 31





Photo 32



Photo 33






Photo 34





Photo 35





Photo 36





Photo 37




Photo 38





Photo 39






Photo 40





Photo 41






Photo 42






Photo 43





Photo 44






Photo 45





Photo 46





Photo 47





The End! I hope this pictorial gives you some modeling ideas or gives you an idea of what's really involve in rebuilding this type model. Remember always to properly pack your models when shipping.
Thanx Thom...