Sorry, folks, this thread kinda got forgotten...
As for the clear coat, Walmart 99-cent gloss clear.
Jeff,
Thanks for the compliments, strangely, I picked my cutoff year as 1989, but I seriously entertained 1991... For that same reason! I guess I figured Whiteface was good enough, and the white stripes added 2 years later wasn't a major factor. This isn't saying that I won't fudge running cabeese on my 1989 layout!
The 3000-class was the only decals I had still intact on my microscale decals sheets...l I have like 6 that are for BN locos, and most are stripped hardcore! I should get more!