Thanks, Guys. So no half life like Kato paint. I'm mulling over getting a few CN C630's in their original big noodle scheme that will need some paint removed to become zebras.
Atlas shells are really easy, but at a mere $12 per fully-assembled Undec body from Atlas I'd consider going that route and saving myself the time and effort. Sell your big-noodle bodies on eBay for $10 and you about break-even on the deal and take no work at all.
Or the main body is just $2 plus the radiator for $0.40, and you've got the hardest parts to strip for just $2.40. The paint on the smooth tank and cab just falls right off. Then you can put the big-noodle bodies into the scrap bin for some project later.
It's really amazing how cheap Atlas plastic parts are. It's only when you start buying mechanisms that you pay out the wazzoo. $50 on their online store can buy you enough miscellaneous locomotive components to keep your bashing locos for years.
