Hey everyone!
I need a little help here. I'm wanting to turn a Lionel 4-4-2 into a 2-4-4-2. And I'm a little nervous about cutting the shell. So my question is what is my first step I need to do in this kit bash?
Thanks
Adam H.
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Think, plan, and then plunge in. You might mess it up, but the world won't end if you do.
On the other hand, it might work out. If so, post pictures.
Agree with Lee......
Remove the shells and line up the two motor units and size things up. If you plan to run it on O-27 track you may need to hinge the chassis like big articulated locos. Once you see how big the 'chassis' will be you can plan cuts of the shells. Epoxy and/or JB Weld them back together. Good luck!
A friend of mine makes a photocopy of the shell, then cuts up the copies to decide where to make the cuts on the loco shell.
You can make lots of copies and lots of different cuts/pastes of the copies. Then, when you have the plan firmed up, you can do the actual surgery on the locos.
pick up a couple of damaged shells to practice on. That will ease your mind, and if you mess up, nothing lost.
Originally Posted by AVRGUY57:
So my question is what is my first step I need to do in this kit bash?
Thanks
Adam H.
Thanks
Adam H.
One assumes that you have some plans or pictures of what you want to build. If not, make some and make a lot of photocopies to play with up front (as already noted) and also to design whatever sort of drive arrangement and spacing you will use - rigid frame or articulated - make everything fit on paper.
Build the drive assembly 1st and make sure that it works/operates on your track - get all of those bugs out.
Then, get into hacking body shells and parts up to assemble something that will fit over that drive arrangement that you made and validated.
Avoid excess bloodshed and have fun!
After that, get busy cutting
