1. Remove SD40-2 from box and inspect
2. Remove coupler boxes
3. Separate shell from underframe and inspect
4. Remove lights from decoder to front dual beam (my model came DCC-equipped, lighted)
5. Paint handrails white, red and black according to prototype
6. Cut off coupler trip pin
7. Paint couplers rust
8. Glue slider windows in place
9. Remove incorrectly placed "System" lettering engineer's side using comet and toothpick
10. Apply new "System" decal in correct location
11. Drill holes in roof for eye pins
12. Drill holes in end pilots for train air line hose
13. Install train air line hose
14. Drill hole in roof for bell air line (follow quality roof shot from google for placement and shape)
15. Paint newly-installed train air line hoses
16. Remove bearing caps from every axle (use file or rotary sanding drum)
17. Remove existing brake chain castings from side sill
18. Install Athearn fuel tank details
19. Detail sideframes according to specific unit modelled
    -new exposed bearing caps (not all axle ends are fully exposed, see photos!)
    -brake lines (I omitted these to allow trucks to swing freely)
    -sand lines (if desired, ensure trucks can swing)
20. Paint wheel faces and contact plates flat black while sideframes are off
21. Paint sideframes flat black and re-install
22. Drill holes in walkway lights for .015 wire (5 lights needed for 5475)
23. Drill locator holes in locomotive body for walkway lights (see prototype photos to determine placement)
24. Drill hole through prime air filter and run .015 wire through (see prototype photos for placement and air line location)
25. Glue Prime filter and wire assembly underneath shell, being careful to allow for later shell removal
26. Install traction motor cables on both sides (see prototype photos for configuration and placement)
27. Glue large Salem air dryer behind fuel tank on conductor's side, being careful to allow for later shell removal
28. Paint Prime filter and wire assembly underneath shell, flat black
29. Paint traction motor cables on both sides, flat black
30. Check wheel gauge
31. Install new Cannon brake chain tensioner castings
32. When brake chain tensioner castings dry, paint black
33. Fabricate mushroom-style cab roof vent with BLMA class light blank and smaller styrene circle, paint
34. Install small BLMA circular plates where the SOU firecracker antennae formerly resided, paint
35. Fabricate Southern RR style of MU stand, both ends, install, paint
36. Install and paint double-ended MU cable part DW 218 (see prototype photos for placement, colour)
37. Fabricate, install, paint forward exhaust hatch part (see above roof shot of 5475 for placement, shape)
38. Install drop-steps, paint black
39. Install brake chain (see prototype photos for placement)
40. Install eye pins in roof and paint
41. Install walkway lights

-drill holes in lights
-cut short .015 wire pieces
-glue together and to body
-fabricate/install brackets
-allow all to dry and paint

LAST MINUTE DISCOVERIES: rear eye pins, REAR horn base, replace curved roof grab with single drop conductor's side, flag brackets, removal of fuel tank circular gauge (both sides).

Omitted steps: Because I started from a factory painted model, I was unable to remove the incorrect numberboard and class light blanks from the front of the short hood without trying to match the factory paint colour. As well, I did not install brake and sand lines on the truck sideframes (these interfered with truck swing when I attempted to do so on this model). The model does not feature nice etched see-through steps and walkway tread material. Lastly, I did not change the fan tops to the correct style.