Speaking as a manufacturer... Often times we are not even aware that one of the prototypes for our model is in a museum, unless it is one that we were using for field checking data. And, to be frank, most restorations leave something to be desired in the accuracy department... I know, I know, it's hard to get all the details just right, given the requirements of using currently available valves and fittings, and not really needing to do the work to remove items that were added by the railroad after the era that the restoration claims to be, but most modelers care a lot more about this than the average museum personal does; let's not even mention tourist railroads. So, while we may use the preserved piece to get a firmer grasp on how everything fits together, we ultimately make the final decisions based on photos, and then it's easiest to just use the number on the piece in the photo. It gives us confidence that the model, lettering, or whatever is correct for at least that one, and something to use to silence the critics when someone writes to complain that the model is "wrong". It's pretty hard to argue with a period photo of the prototype.
I am aware of at least one model that was specifically detailed to match an engine as restored; when Division Point imported models of the Soo Line L-1, L-2, and L-20 Mikados, they detailed one model the way the 1003 is today, but of course that isn't exactly the way it was in service.
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