When I re-started in this hobby in January, one of my first purchases was a cheap, 80's DC only 2-4-0 "Southern Streak" set that came along with a KW transformer I really wanted. I made a thread earlier about abusing this poor guy and learning about PS1 in the process. Although I successfully converted it to PS1, it was still a junker and looked like a junker to boot.
So while I was waiting for my next project loco to show up, a PW 1666 that I plan on refinishing, I got bored and decided to make the "Southern Streak" something I could bear to look at.
I started by stripping the lettering and giant pinstripe line down the side. Then I removed the bell and sanded down the mold lines on top. I filled the motor frame with about 8 oz of lead to give it a bit more friction on the rails (yes, I know these little guys and their cheap motors aren't meant to pull huge consists, but this thing would slip with two little PW boxcars behind it in the curves).
Then I replaced the tender trucks with some spare MTH freight trucks that I had laying around
Finally, I cut out more of the tender frame so I could move the speaker from its ridiculous position in the cab to something more sensible under the tender. Had to make some custom clips out of spare stainless wire to hold it in place though. It also allowed me to lose two of the six wires between the loco and tender, so I created a fake tether with some 4-pin molex connectors that I had laying around. I epoxied the pin-side into the tender shell and it's nice and hidden now. I left the 9V battery harness sticking out to remind me that there's no BCR or battery and not to try to run it. When I make another BCR I'll be able to *just* cram it inside the shell.
For the finish, it's amazing what a little rattle-can and some decals can do if you're patient. I waited between coats, waited to apply decals and pin-striping, waited to coat with a satin finish. Got a little impatient between the last 2 coats of clear satin and ended up with a small amount of crazing in a couple spots..It ain't a museum piece but it's something that doesn't make me sad to look at anymore either. I guess I'll keep it.
Before & After:
