Very nice indeed Tom, I can almost see the steam pressure rising on the gauges as we speak!   Thanx Thom...

  Tom,
           I've enjoyed this thread build for sure, I only have one thing to say at this point.
https://youtu.be/uvUL28Skt6E 
Thanx Thom...

  Kewl!  K@@l! Cool! Kull!  I'm not good at spelling, but you get where I'm going right! or wuz it left?  Thanx Thom...

  Nice Work Tom!    I really like watching all the step by steps.  Ha, feels like I'm there working with you.  Here!, let me clean up the airbrush for yah...  Thanx Thom...

Karl,         
            Awesome!  You are truly a Master Craftsman's Builder.  Fantastic brother!   Thanx Thom...

Hey Boss,
                    Ha,  Got it. ha.  I got excited and forgot.  Ok I'll sit down and shut and watch the rest of the movie.  May the force be with us...   Thanx Thom...

Tom,
            Following Bob, he's right as well.  To me I'm not a purist when it comes to brass.  I want it to be bulletproof.  So using modern parts or techniques on older brass is where I go.  For example; your picture shows the motor shaft almost right up against the gearbox worm shaft, even at a slight angle which forces the tube to have to bend in the middle. 
           
             Tubes dry out or harden over time and also become soft or too flexible when heated.  You have both those issues at play here.  The aforementioned is air, the latter is motor shaft heat transfer.   Say after running that engine pulling a train on a normal size layout during an open house, round n round for an 1/2 to 1 hour or more (it happens).  Go put your fingers on the motor shaft-Ouch! it gets hot so that slowly softens the tubes which starts the breakdown process (air).

              When needed I've cut down and polish either one or both or both shafts to accommodate u-joints or ball and cup connections etc.  If the gear box needs to flex or move about to the motor (meaning it can because spring tension isn't too strong) then a shaft and sleeve type connection is added. 

              Keep in mind even with the plastic ball end connection (like on modern OMI diesel models) on the motor side shaft it still gets hot and metal expands which most likely is going to crack or split the thin plastic over time.

              So I compensate for this by knurling or mahring the tip to give a little tooth and void for the part to expand and a place to contract to while on the shaft.  I've never gotten any slippage from that procedure.

              For me a little extra work from a newer way usually means your not going to have the same ol' problem from the traditional way.  Again, I'm not a purist when building.  I do see from your photos that everything else you are doing is the same as me.  So I guess I've been doing it right which makes me feel good.  ha.
                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                              My 2 cents, Keep going!, good stuff.  I'm all eyes!  Thanx Thom...

J~,
         Nice start!   Ok I'm all eyes...    Thanx Thom...

Tom,
           I agree! excellent!  Nice job!  T...


https://youtu.be/-W0PReCRg6Y?t=2   

Not Fair Hal!
                       Your $300.00 Iphone takes better pictures than my $800.00+ rebel T4i.  I'm going to ask for my money back.    Thanx Thom...  P.S. open the pod bay door!  https://youtu.be/bM8HHzqrj3E?t=4   

Tom,
           No I didn't see that thread.  Very kewl!  I really like the weathering a lot.  I also like the speaker setup in the tender, that's intriguing for sure.   I like it!  https://youtu.be/x5eGsAvXzP0?t=25  Thanx Thom...

Mike,
           Frank is totally correct!  On all counts.  Thanx Thom...

Tom,
         Thanks. ha.  T.P.'s my friend. I guess it's because I'm sooo full of it. ha.  I just love following threads where modelers work (create or repair) with brass!  I'm all eyes & ears!  Thanx Thom...

This is really a good thread.  I just love working on brass, judging from all the great replies it seems I'm not alone.  I hope more join in.  Ok I have my favorite bev in hand and are tuned in.  Please continue...  Thom...

John,  Thanks for the tutelage, I could use all the help I can get.  Thom...