How about tackling it from another end. I always thought it was possible to to reline brake shoes. Any place out there still do that? No reason not to use riveted linings, either, since it's a grab and hold brake mostly.

I'm still trying to figure out how Lester's wore out. Unless they were almost too tight and dragging.

Lester (how ya been, friend?), have you actually eyeballed the shoes, or just inferred "worn out" from lever stroke length?

Not responsible for advice not taken...