Let us see your Homemade Lionel (or Other) Style Cars or Engines you have Made or Modified

Nice work Charlie,  good use of on hand materials and tools'... very clever'.. The tenders look great'..

Made this BN F3B unit from an MTH B&M B unit. Scalecoat paint and Microscale decals.

This F7 is an unpowered unit that became my second attempt at painting Frisco mandarin orange/white. The “two foot rule” definitely applies here. To make it more authentic to SLSF I added flared smoke arrestors, a yellow beacon, and a forward facing 5 chime horn.  The decals are from K4. This will look right at home hauling the QLA, QSF, or CTB from Birmingham to Floydada, TX. 
When I get better skills at painting, I may start taking better photos.  For now, I will just weather it Heavily with road grime and blame the Springfield diesel shop for the appearance. 

I didn't know where to begin, so here's a view of the Razorback Traction Co. empire,  where pretty much every bit of rolling stock has been tweaked or outright fabricated in one way or another... 

With the sometimes dubious assistance of the staff, of course... 

Mitch 

Did this one 10 yrs ago this mouth..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4eK3Qe2g84 

Working on my own version of the Diesel Polar Express. Not sure if I'll leave the trucks silver or paint them black.  This is the first train related project in awhile, but it's fun to get back into it!

Nick

At the July Greenberg train show in Monroeville, PA, I purchased a 2-rail U.S. Navy Helium car that needed some work.  It had one panel missing on the top by one ladder, but was otherwise intact.  It was missing some handrail and door lock details which were never installed by the original builder, and the original decals had been incorrectly applied.  It appeared to have been made some time in the 1930s or 1940s due to the now yellowed lacquer that was used to seal the car. 

I started working on it to repair it, add the missing details, and convert it to 3-rail for regular operation.  I made the missing panel out of bass wood and installed Lionel LionScale trucks to the metal Westbrook frame.  The end sills had to be ground down a bit to allow clearance for the couplers.  Also, I am not sure if it is a Westbrook kit, as it appears that the original builder updated a few details like the end sills, side steps, ladders, and frame.  I added the missing brake details to the bottom of the car as well.  I started painting the car silver with a black undercarriage.  I used Tichy Train Group decals for the U.S. Navy Helium car.  The decals are for the 3rd generation Helium cars and the model is of the 2nd generation cars, so I had to take a little liberty with them.  I had to create the eagle decal from a picture of the original on the car.  I took a clear photo of it and edited the photo with Microsoft Paint to create an outline of the eagle that I could print on decal paper.  I finished applying the decals last week and put the final clear coat on Friday morning.  Please see the attached photos.

Here is the car the day I got it.

Here is the car after I made the missing roof panel and converted it to LionScale trucks.

Here is the final product after working on it over the last four months.

Here are my custom painted, by CJB painting, Lionel 2243's done up for Autism Awareness.  She painted these two F units for me a few years ago back when I was not working.  Both F units were given to me for the purpose of this project.  Times are much better now and its time to dust these off and run them again.  I wish I still had the 2333 NYC's.   Mike the Aspie

Here's my homemade Holiday Train!  

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...9#115459344504647519

Mitch 

Howdy, I have shamelessly posted these elsewhere on the site but as they show the only railroad construction project completed in 2019 I will bother you again.     This is a kit-bashed Labelle traction motor. It was a hoot to get done in general.

Jim K

Jim,

 Very nice & unique.

Tom

Past and current endeavors for my military consists.....

Jesse   TCA

wbg pete posted:

Pete, I really like that. I've had the very same idea of shortening a 4-bay quad hopper for quite some time, but couldn't visualize how it would look. Now I know thanks to you. Super!

I prefer the Industrial Rail and MTH Rugged Rails versions of the quad hopper as they are smaller than the Lionel one. Seeing this photo gives me cause to reconsider that thinking.

@Nick R.  I'm not a fan of the Polar Express, though I am appreciative of what it has done for the hobby as a whole. That said, I really like the project you have going there. 

Beats me, why Lionel didn't try the same idea, other than it wouldn't be representative of the style of engine and cars in the movie. Therefore maybe also a licensing issue.

Still that engine and cars would look right at home on 027 curves. Which is why I do the projects that I undertake. Nice idea. Post some more photos as you progress with the project. I like what I'm seeing so far!

Here are some of mine....

One I'm still working on.

midnightwrecking posted:

Canadian National Hudson tank engine, commuter service to Montreal.  I had to have one first time I saw a picture of one!

Came across this and just wanted to say, wonderful job!! Is that PS1? I have the Pennsy 1014 from MTH with PS1 (same engine besides the decals)

NS6770Fan posted:

midnightwrecking posted:

Canadian National Hudson tank engine, commuter service to Montreal.  I had to have one first time I saw a picture of one!

Came across this and just wanted to say, wonderful job!! Is that PS1? I have the Pennsy 1014 from MTH with PS1 (same engine besides the decals)

 This is absolutely outstanding and an incredible customization!!!!  I've seen plenty of scratch built and modification engines, in all scales.  This is one of the best.   Congratulations on your excellent modeling skills.  You have also given me an idea of using wire to make piping'.  Thank you" I never thought of that until I saw your work'... And impressive work it is indeed'!!!!

Wanted a newer steel caboose to go along with my CNJ plywood one (posted earlier in the thread). Started with an MTH C&NW Northeastern caboose (looked great in the green and gold, but I have no other C&NW equipment, and it was available for $15), filled in the end windows and the side window by the stove (this window had the frame removed and was welded over on the prototypes), removed whatever that little thing MTH had sticking out of the roof was, and painted her up for CNJ. Left the handrails by the filled in windows on the end rather than pull them out and replace each one with 2 as on the prototype. Still have to add the hoop handrails to the roof, and eventually weather her up some (as "maintenance" was often a dirty word on the CNJ)...

Here is a very easy mod with good results. My  prewar AF Comet came equipped with

steam type wheels and a finicky AF reversing unit. Neither satisfactory.

Solution? I removed the motor from a Marx SP 6000 tin diesel. One screw. 

Then I removed the motor from the Comet. One screw. Installed Marx motor

in Comet. One screw. 

Result? Disc wheels and a modern e unit. 

This should work on the tin Zephyr with no problem.

Roadrunner/Coyote Handcar

G gauge figures/O gauge handcar

I need one of those, but it might end up in the garage next to my road runner

Steamer posted:

I need one of those, but it might end up in the garage next to my road runner

Maybe I just missed them, but why haven't I heard any Road Runner/Coyote jokes since Ford brought out their Coyote V-8 for the Mustang? I guess most new Mustang drivers are too young to remember the Plymouth Road Runner. Beep Beep. (Loved the cars; never liked the horn.)

Now we return you to your trains.

Nick R. posted:

Working on my own version of the Diesel Polar Express. Not sure if I'll leave the trucks silver or paint them black.  This is the first train related project in awhile, but it's fun to get back into it!

Nick

Got the silhouettes back in and decided on a simple strip for the loco.  Now to add some LEDs and it's going on the Christmas village as a static display.

- Nick

In my make-believe world, these "steam era classic" 40' boxcars were purchased from AT&SF and repainted for QA&P revenue service.  These decals were created in MS Word, saved as .pdf files, and printed on laser waterslide decal paper.   I also did a Weaver made boxcar that I have decided to sell at the next Lone Star Hi-Railers train show, March 2020.

The ACF cylindrical hopper was painted and lettered in similar fashion to a Frisco offering by Atlas.  It will be put in service hauling raw gypsum from the Acme Plaster Company a few miles NW of Quanah, TX. on the QA&P mainline.  

(heavy sigh) What might have been...

Rob Leese posted:

In my make-believe world, these "steam era classic" 40' boxcars were purchased from AT&SF and repainted for QA&P revenue service.  These decals were created in MS Word, saved as .pdf files, and printed on laser waterslide decal paper.   I also did a Weaver made boxcar that I have decided to sell at the next Lone Star Hi-Railers train show, March 2020.

The ACF cylindrical hopper was painted and lettered in similar fashion to a Frisco offering by Atlas.  It will be put in service hauling raw gypsum from the Acme Plaster Company a few miles NE of Quanah, TX. on the QA&P mainline.  

(heavy sigh) What might have been...

The WHAT Railroad?!? But, the QA&P RR really did exist. Located completely in Texas, it was founded in 1902 and lasted 79 years. Still successful, it was merged into Burlington Northern. BN has abandoned some of its trackage, but the QA&P still operates as part of Burlington Northern.

Rob, for what it's worth, the QA&P was a successful railroad. Your contributions as an employee are part of the reason.

This K-Line baggage car got a new paint job and lettering to become QA&P baggage / express car #927.  Although there never really was a #927, I have always thought there should be one and this is what it would look like.   

Homemade Lionel 9278 Life Savers Tank Car

After looking for a reasonable or inexpensive Lionel 9278 Life Savers Tank Car (they are rather hard to find and I have never seen one at a train show) I decided to make one.   They are whimsical and very colorful and always caught my attention.  I do not know what Mars- Wrigley Co., the present maker of Life Savers five flavors hard candy, would transport in a Tank Car.

Lionel Lifesaver Single Dome Tank Car you can purchase

I had three double dome tank car bodies and frames, unmarked and looks exactly like the Lionel two dome tank cars.  I know Lionel used a single dome tank car for their Life Savers car, so I figured a double dome car would work.  If they transported the makings for the five flavors, perhaps they needed  five dome tank cars !

I chose a tank car body that had a sizable chip missing on one side walkway.  I decided to remove the two side walkways as this would make adding the multiple colored strips, by paint or colored tape,  much easier.  I ground the walkways off with a Dremel grinding bit, small file and knife and puttied it smooth.  The center hand rail bracket was also removed as this spot is where the “Life Savers” name label would go.

The ends of the car and domes were spray painted with aluminum paint.

The colored stripes can be masked off and painted or colored vinyl tape can be used.  I thought the colored vinyl tape would be easier to do but either way will be a chore.  The colors of the stripes should represent five Life Savers flavors which are currently Cherry, Raspberry, Watermelon, Orange and Pineapple.  I purchased a couple of rolls of Life Savers, 5 flavors, finally finding them at a Cracker Barrel restaurant  and planned on using the package label for my car "Life Savers" logo label.  I had problems figuring out which flavors represent which colors on the package so I chose the colors as red, green, yellow, orange and cherry or grape.  I had colored tape from a package of six colors of tape, which included red, green, yellow and white.  I had some acrylic orange paint and made a purple or maroon color from red and a little blue paint and painted strips of white tape to make orange and purple stripes.

I decided strips of 5/16 inch width would look good and give four sets or so of five colors.  I saw the Lionel 9278 Life Saver single dome tank car started with the same order of colored strips from each end and then had to repeat a color or two to make them meet in the middle.  The single dome car has a substantial railing and ladders at the middle of the car.  My double dome tank car will have an open visible middle and walk way and ladders at the domes, nearer the ends of the car.  I decided to start the color sequence at one end and repeat it in order to the other end.  I was two colors short of finishing the last two colors on the last sequence.  I arranged the colors sequence to use more of the pre-colored tape and less of the two tape painted colors.  Cutting the tape around the domes was tedious and the tape was old and had to be glued on in some cases.  I found E 6000 clear glue would melt the vinyl tape and I had to use some old auto vinyl trim glue I had to glue it on.

The picture below shows the painted and other colored vinyl tape on the right and the car partially striped.  I removed these strips to allow removal of the hand rail anchor as it was in the way of the "Life Savers" logo label to be attached  and decided to start the striping from the end.

The "Life Savers" wrapper from the "Life Savers" tubular package was removed and sprayed with clear spray paint on both sides twice to keep glue from affecting them.  The logo labels were cut out and glued on with auto vinyl trim glue.

I decided to make one short walkway at each dome and install them on opposite sides and use one ladder for each side to allow access from both sides of the car.  I made the walkways out of Popsicle sticks and glued them on with J B Weld.  I made a walkway between the two domes so that an operator can climb one ladder and reach both domes.  I added plastic window screen on the top of the Popsicle walk ways to simulate walkway grading.

I made two ladders out of N scale plastic track ties and cut out every other tie to give one foot distant between each rung.  The ladders and walkways were painted aluminum.

I added a pair of Lionel trucks to the car frame and screwed the tank car shell to the car frame.  I then glued the ladders on between the short walk ways and the car frame with a little auto vinyl trim glue as they will have to be removed if the car tank body has to be removed from the frame in the future.

This picture shows several of my homemade cars: my homemade large Vanderbilt coal tender, Lionel 6413 Mercury Capsule transporting car, flat car with two small General engines, Aquarium Car and the Lionel Life Savers Tank Car

My new homemade Life Savers Double Dome Tank Car is my most favorite car.  I always say that about my latest homemade car or latest train meet find.  I do know this Life Savers tank car is the car that really stands out on any train consist it is in.

You can see how I built my O27, 50s style, 27 switch layout over the past 40 years including many more homemade cars like this and round house with a scratch built turntable for $10 at the OGR link below.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...ra-027-layout?page=1

Charlie

These began life as Atlas Steam Era Classics unpainted 8000 gallon tank cars. Cars similar to these actually existed in QA&P revenue service hauling water out of Roaring Springs, TX. 

Here is the caboose for my circus train in the making. It was made using plastic,  Kusan Kanonball caboose.The final touch will be the addition of Marker lanterns.

The locomotive received new paint and K4 decals. Every car behind the engine (except Tom’s Shamrock tanker) was repainted and finished with custom made QA&P decals. The double plug boxcar and the silver tank car are based on actual revenue cars that once existed...just not exact. 

Randy Harrison: Years back, I once saw an H0 Circus train that I think was actual production named "Burn'em And Bailout, Bungling Bros. Circus". I thought it was pretty funny. Your caboose looks good.

artyoung posted:

Randy Harrison: Years back, I once saw an H0 Circus train that I think was actual production named "Burn'em And Bailout, Bungling Bros. Circus". I thought it was pretty funny. Your caboose looks good.

Art:

Thanks for the heads-up on the HO train. I had not known about that and thought Bungling Brothers was my own, twisted creation. I will make sure the Great Northeastern Railways crack Legal division is alerted in case Bungling Bros.  Burn'em And Bailout, Circus sues us for Trademark infringement.

My dad and I started making Big Boys back in 1982. We cut up two 736 boilers and used the running gear. The tenders are made out of two 1666 plastic tenders. The trucks are made out of Lionel scout trucks. 

The other engines are modified similar. We made about 20 engines all together.  

gary mack posted:

My dad and I started making Big Boys back in 1982. We cut up two 736 boilers and used the running gear. The tenders are made out of two 1666 plastic tenders. The trucks are made out of Lionel scout trucks. 

The other engines are modified similar. We made about 20 engines all together.  

That's pretty darn cool. Had to make your own stuff before it was available. 

On a technical note how are they set up? Are both sets of drivers powered? Are just the front drivers articulated or do both turn? Do they run on 072 track? I'm curious how the mechanism works. 

Had some 265 laying in the junk yard. Just finished restoring them, Red, Black, Chrome. Working on the cars now.

Lou1985 posted:

gary mack posted:

My dad and I started making Big Boys back in 1982. We cut up two 736 boilers and used the running gear. The tenders are made out of two 1666 plastic tenders. The trucks are made out of Lionel scout trucks. 

The other engines are modified similar. We made about 20 engines all together.  

That's pretty darn cool. Had to make your own stuff before it was available. 

On a technical note how are they set up? Are both sets of drivers powered? Are just the front drivers articulated or do both turn? Do they run on 072 track? I'm curious how the mechanism works. 

Just the rear drivers are powered. Front drivers are dummy they articulate and do run on 072 track. 

Thanks for asking!

gary mack posted:

My dad and I started making Big Boys back in 1982. We cut up two 736 boilers and used the running gear. The tenders are made out of two 1666 plastic tenders. The trucks are made out of Lionel scout trucks. 

The other engines are modified similar. We made about 20 engines all together.  

Gary,

Fantastic. And I thought my making center cupola cabeese from 2 SP cabeese was something special - I am humbled

Dang, so much talent here, I love this thread

gary mack posted:

Lou1985 posted:

gary mack posted:

My dad and I started making Big Boys back in 1982. We cut up two 736 boilers and used the running gear. The tenders are made out of two 1666 plastic tenders. The trucks are made out of Lionel scout trucks. 

The other engines are modified similar. We made about 20 engines all together.  

That's pretty darn cool. Had to make your own stuff before it was available. 

On a technical note how are they set up? Are both sets of drivers powered? Are just the front drivers articulated or do both turn? Do they run on 072 track? I'm curious how the mechanism works. 

Just the rear drivers are powered. Front drivers are dummy they articulate and do run on 072 track. 

Thanks for asking!

That's still pretty cool. Would have needed a u joint to get the front drivers powered, plus reengineering the front gearbox. Overall they are way beyond anything I could hope to build.

Keep those post and comments on Homemade cars coming.  Great work by all.

Charlie

here’s a little something i’ve been working on, it’s a marx ge 70 ton on a lionel caboose frame, running a heavily modified motor assembly from a 18430 crew car for power. 

Rob, Charlie, Randy, Gary, Signalwoman great work all.  This is one of my favorite threads.  I'm glad it's still going.

QA&P 546 was a disappointment to me.  564 is turning out much nicer. There are still several steps to go.  
The unit numbers under the cab side windows are still the main problem...they simply do not match the prototype. The remainder of the K4 decal work seems alright. 

Rob Leese posted:

QA&P 546 was a disappointment to me.  564 is turning out much nicer.  
The unit numbers under the cab side windows are still the main problem...they simply do not match the prototype. The remainder of the K4 decal work seems alright. 

Bob, if you post the clearest, largest photo of the prototype's cab number you have, a friend of mine may be able to help you get the correct font style and size to supply the artwork for a decal maker.  Of course, if you know that information already, the issue is with the decal maker.

I received this from one of our OGR member so I decided to restore it. I did some scratch building on it like the wheel brake and grab handles I also add some details from Scale City Designs like the Ice hatches, ladders and stirrups 

I’ve had two more type of trains I would like to build one is a Millitary and a Circus Train so I decided to start on my Millitary train. This one will have a UH-34D Helicopter in a Gondola. I have to order the decals for Gondola it will be the Nickel Plate Road I Hope the decals work I will also be adding more details to this Atlas O Scale gondola like tie down rings and Kadees. Sorry I will not post the Helicopter build here if you would like to see the build of the Helicopter go to www.scale-models.co.uk/whats-new/ You will find me there in the Millitary section. But you will see the Helicopter on there in some test shots 

Decals, weathering, and flat finish are complete.  One last step is to remove the truck sideframes and spray them heavily with aerosol graphite (a strange technique I invented).  It leaves an ultra-flat black finish that appears grimy and slightly dusty.  The graphite also works well simulating rooftop exhaust buildup...and if the results do not look good, it can be removed with a cloth dampened with paint thinner. 

my attempt at making a cheap lionel 8313 look and run decent, black smokestack, metal side rods, nos ac motor, i added a headlight lens from an 8300, and drilled out the original boiler front to fit it.

i painted the boiler front black, then sanded back the paint on the number to bring out the gold.

the leading truck is just a mock up at the moment, but i’ll find a way. it looks much nicer with it. i can’t remember what the tender came with, but it matches the lines of the locomotive a lot better that the slope back that came with it originally.

Got some decals for my AHM custom Piggyback flat car 

Rob Leese posted:

QA&P 546 was a disappointment to me.  564 is turning out much nicer. There are still several steps to go.  
The unit numbers under the cab side windows are still the main problem...they simply do not match the prototype. The remainder of the K4 decal work seems alright. 

All done.  Mostly...

Still looking for the correct spark arrestors. 
Must admit I did some poor research: of the three GP7’s that Frisco lettered for QA&P only 564 had a steam generator, and this Lionel model has none. 
Question: the roof of the short hood is held magnetically and can be easily removed...can a short hood roof with steam stacks be purchased separately?  I am really not that picky but this could be an easy fix.

Not Super exciting, but I shortened a broken Lionel switcher shell and mounted on K-line chassis. I think I got the grey close enough. Not finished yet, I think it will be L&N if I can find decals. Maybe some yellow handrails.  Felt like a decent accomplishment...Jeff

Looks great and still like a NW-2. 

I cut an inch or so out of a junk  Lionel NW-2 switcher shell and added it a Marx 1998 bottom way back in 1983.  With that 1998 Marx bottom, it is real fast runner through a O27 oval and figure 8.  It is lots of fun converting junk train parts into some thing neat.

Charlie

Thanks  Charlie,  I find myself looking for more usable junk at train shows. Possibilities are endless if you have  the courage to attempt it. Proof is all the great kitbashing from members on this site!

Thanks again,

Jeff

Not mine, but BENZ TRAINZ has come up with something clever.  

Mitch

Waiting on decals to arrive.

Still cranking out QA&P rolling stock.

Early stages on this bh flatcar project.  When finished it will be loaded with lifts of sheetrock. 

A work in progress:  Using leftover bits to make a trolley sprinkler car. 

Rob Leese posted:

Still cranking out QA&P rolling stock.

 

Nice work sir!

Although I thought QA&P stood for Quarantined, Atlantic and Pacific!

jhz563 posted:

Rob Leese posted:

Still cranking out QA&P rolling stock.

 

Nice work sir!

Although I thought QA&P stood for Quarantined, Atlantic and Pacific!

Historically, it was known as “quit arguing and PUSH !”

Great Job Rob.  Super details

Charlie

A B&O  flat changed loads.

Being a Disciple of the late Carroll Shelby I had to make one of these.

@Nick R. posted:

Got the silhouettes back in and decided on a simple strip for the loco.  Now to add some LEDs and it's going on the Christmas village as a static display.

- Nick

Nice work, Nick!  That’s one fine set.

Truck changes on 2 Marx city service cars..Jeff

CBS Railroads new slug..

Alumina Covered Hopper Car

I worked for ALCOA in plants that made alumina, or aluminum oxide from bauxite.   Therefore I was interested in having covered hopper cars with their locos on.  Lionel made two, one for ALCOA and another for Reynolds Aluminum that ALCOA purchased in 2000.  Before I found an Lionel ALCOA car to buy, I made an ALCOA covered hopper car from an open hopper car by making a cover from sheet balsa wood and adding an ALCOA sticker.

Then a Lionel ALCOA covered hopper car was found.

 Charlie

Scratch built, freelance Garratt. Except for the running gear (Industrial Rail PRR E6 4-4-2's) and the Weaver scale 40' flat car as the "girder" for the boiler, it's all basswood and styrene and bits.

Man, if you think a typical Mallet has joints and connectors and swiveling parts, you should build one of these!

I was always surprised that MTH never offered a big modern Garratt while they were offering their non-North American steamers. Maybe because most of them were less-than-standard gauge locos. 3.5 feet was common, as in S. Africa, so O-gauge track would have been wrong. I would have bought it anyway.

This was an idea my father and I had about 20 years ago. Modify a tender--a cheap one!--by removing the imitation coal pile and creating a bin that can be filled by a Lionel Coal Loader or Prewar Coal House. More than a few pieces of coal miss their mark, but that's just the Lionel way. My father decided to make the bin removable for easier refilling of the Coal House. The bin is fashioned from thin sheet metal--in addition to being a master plumber, my dad was skilled at fashioning ductwork.

@D500 posted:

Scratch built, freelance Garratt. Except for the running gear (Industrial Rail PRR E6 4-4-2's) and the Weaver scale 40' flat car as the "girder" for the boiler, it's all basswood and styrene and bits.

Man, if you think a typical Mallet has joints and connectors and swiveling parts, you should build one of these!

I was always surprised that MTH never offered a big modern Garratt while they were offering their non-North American steamers. Maybe because most of them were less-than-standard gauge locos. 3.5 feet was common, as in S. Africa, so O-gauge track would have been wrong. I would have bought it anyway.

I forwarded this to a friend of mine who's a fan of Garratts, and he said:

Fellows   Great work on the Garrett and Lionel coal tender with removable coal bin.  I need to make a coal tender mod with removable bin.

I will have to find out more about that Garrett engine, sure looks different than normal.

Charlie

The Beyer Garratt is absolutely amazing!! It has long been on my wish list to see it made in O by either Lionel or MTH. I have often thought of building one myself  in a fashion similar to the method you used. Thanks for showing it to us.

corsair29

Very neat and attractive locomotive.  Like the Garrett, above yours,  I am not familiar with your #78, please tell me what type it is.

Charlie

Great-looking Garratt! Nice job!

@Choo Choo Charlie posted:

corsair29

 I am not familiar with your #78, please tell me what type it is.

 

Admittedly, not a glitzy modification, but I wanted to improve two lowly Lionel 520 Boxcabs. I drilled out the headlight nacelles and installed lamps and lenses, added a rooftop horn to both, and installed a Lionel sound circuit board and speaker in the non-powered 520.  I use this pair to pull a track cleaning car around my layout. Photo attached.

Mike Mottler    LCCA 12394

@Mike H Mottler posted:

Admittedly, not a glitzy modification, but I wanted to improve two lowly Lionel 520 Boxcabs. I drilled out the headlight nacelles and installed lamps and lenses, added a rooftop horn to both, and installed a Lionel sound circuit board and speaker in the non-powered 520.  I use this pair to pull a track cleaning car around my layout. Photo attached.

Nice job!  I used a 520 shell as the basis for the Crocodile...  

Mitch

@M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

I forwarded this to a friend of mine who's a fan of Garratts, and he said:

Love it! That's a killer!

 

I will point out to you that New South Wales had plenty of Garretts that ran on standard gauge.

 

Also, a lot of South African models are sold to run on standard gauge HO track, also some offer a choice of that or standard TT gauge, which equates to South Africa's 3'6" in HO scale.

 

Mitch

All the kind words are appreciated. I did not know/had forgotten that there were some Standard Gauge Garratts in Australia. I got a book on Garratts years ago, lots of color photos, and I just had to have one, even though "mine " never existed. I was actually inspired at first by a French 4-6-2+2-6-4 - streamlined, no less (of course it was - it was French).

I suppose I should have said "2-3-1+1-3-2". It was beyond me, but I did what I could.

Mike

Great job dressing up the Lionel 520s, they need lots of help in the looks department.

I saved your picture as a references as I want to dress up my boxy 520 too.  Mine does not even have a wire pick up on the roof.  It is mostly a wall flower now.

Charlie

Just to plant another idea with you, look up Kitson-Meyer locomotives - interesting beasts. This is from David Argent's YouTube channel, showing several of his unique projects. 

My modern interpretation of a post- war classic...

Does G Scale count?

Not the greatest picture but here is a PRR N5c cabin car I build during high school. The trucks are aristocraft but everything else is build from MDF. We had a laser cutter which I used to create the stencils for the lettering on the sides. My one regret was not squaring the windows on the cupola like the prototype has; I wasn't the best at chiseling at the time. I may correct this at somepoint and add steps but don't want to ruin what I already built. 

First pic is a window reconfigured Williams Madison which started out like the original shown in the second photo. The arched window treatments follow the prototype and were free-handed styrene inserts. On the next 3 cars I do, I will be using laser cut pieces instead! This was a trial-and-error work.

Terry

It would make more sense to call it "Scratchbuilt" or "Kit-bashed" in my opinion.    It would just sound more model railroady

My current rusty scrapyard gondola project. Basic flat spray paints--black, brown, some camo green, red primer. White or wood glue for the bulges. I will touch it up with Dr. Ben's Scale Consortium weathering paints to give it a less "uniform" rusted look.

@CBS072 posted:

CBS Railroads new slug..

I had to make a trip to Google because I always assumed that slugs had no cab. I see some did. Is it because they were converted road units?

I think most slugs, if not all, were converted from complete diesels.    A lot of I have seen did not have cabs.   I lived near Conway yards on the old Pennsy when I was a bit  younger, and there were a number of slugs, sometimes 2, paired with a mother unit working the hump.   These looked like cut down RSD12s, or maybe RSD7/15.    They had no cab, but obvously Alco hood units with the hoods cut down to about 4 feet.    I understand they would have large concrete ballast in the hoods.   

On the other hand, since I have lived in Ohio, and near Northwestern Ohio, I have seen a lot of CSX slugs on local trains.    These were generally ex-GP30 or GP35 units paired with a GP40.    These slugs all had cabs and I understand they had all controls too.    I was told the crews liked to run the set from the slug because it was much quieter than the diesel unit.    All these slugs had all the vents for radiators, dynamic brakes, or whatever closed off.    Also I think fans on roofs were mostly gone, but not sure.    But they still looked like what they started as.   It was nice to a GP30 body (slug) on the front end of a short local train trundling along just like when it was a mainline loco.

@CBS072 posted:

CBS Railroads new slug..

Using the U-boat chassis and such left over from my steeplecab project, unless I'm mistaken...    

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...cab-for-only-pennies

Mitch 

I know you're looking for high quality, air brushed and perfectly detailed trains, but here's mt Mt. Dew car. been drinking that stuff for about 50 years so my friends get a laugh from it. 

I have three locos that are bashed/converted Lionel Lionchief Plus locos.  The two in the photo below were both Lionchief Plus traditional size (semi-scale) steamers.  I converted them to models of scale steamers by: a) measuring their drivers, wheelbase, etc., and then finding an ATSF steamer in the steamlocomotive.com database with the same number of drivers that matched those dimensions at 1:48 scale, then b) removing the body and building a new body, adding or deleted pilot wheels and such, as needed, at a scale 1:48 of that prticular loco.  Similarly rebuilt a new tender body for each.   The most obvious change on each is a bigger cab on both (its about 3/8 inch taller in both cases).  I particularly like 1856, but 3158 is a good runner and a nice size little loco for my layout.

The top loco in the photo below is a stock-as-a-stone Vision 2-10-10-2 ATSF 3000, just included for size purposes.  The bottom loco, 1171, has the chassis from two Lionchief Plus steamers (both with the same road # so they respond to the same remote), and a scratchbuilt 1:48 scale body for ATSF 1171.    A bit before 3000 was built, ATSF built 1171 and a few other bendable boiler articulated locos. Santa Fe experimented with two different ways to make a long boiler on an articulated loco bend.  Both types of locos ran well but the flexible boiler joint was a monstrous maintenance headache.  1171 was eventually disassembled and rebuilt as two 2-6-2s.

@Mike23 posted:

I know you're looking for high quality, air brushed and perfectly detailed trains, but here's mt Mt. Dew car. been drinking that stuff for about 50 years so my friends get a laugh from it. 

Do the Dew!    How did you Dew the little cans? 

Mitch 

As with the Dew decal/logo, I got them on ESTY I think. Anyway, I just googled Mt. Dew gifts. (there were tons of stuff)!

@dkdkrd posted:

As clever and well thought out as the tender modification is, the very best part of this is having your dad be an active part of the hobby and a creative contributor.   I would easily consider that tender falling into the "Priceless" category.

You are VERY blessed, indeed!!

KD

KD,

Thanks for the kind comment! You hit it right on the head--this hobby has connected me and my father for more than 40 years. Lionel was spot on its marketing about the power of hobbies like this to bring fathers and sons together. On that note, it is terrible how COVID-19 has "stolen" train shows from us, because that has been another great source for creating social connections with others for myself and my father.

All the best!

John

@Lee Willis posted:

The top loco in the photo below is a stock-as-a-stone Vision 2-10-10-2 ATSF 3000, just included for size purposes.  The bottom loco, 1171, has the chassis from two Lionchief Plus steamers (both with the same road # so they respond to the same remote), and a scratchbuilt 1:48 scale body for ATSF 1171.    A bit before 3000 was built, ATSF built 1171 and a few other bendable boiler articulated locos. Santa Fe experimented with two different ways to make a long boiler on an articulated loco bend.  Both types of locos ran well but the flexible boiler joint was a monstrous maintenance headache.  1171 was eventually disassembled and rebuilt as two 2-6-2s.

 

Oh, thank goodness - now I don't have to build a "jointed boiler" ATSF articulated. You have. It looks sharp. ATSF articulateds are on a planet of their own, anyway. In a good way.

How about a thread on your loco with up-close photos. I want to see the joint, especially.

(For those who are unfamiliar, the ATSF jointed "boiler" wasn't really quite that, though that is the common term for it. The actual boiler was the rear section, and the front was a large feed water heater/re-heater. I forget the exact arrangement; I need to get out one of my Santa Fe books.)

@M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

Using the U-boat chassis and such left over from my steeplecab project, unless I'm mistaken...    

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...cab-for-only-pennies

Mitch 

Yes, Mitch that is the trucks and fuel tank from the U-boat but not the frame.

The U-boat frame was too short, So I built a frame from 2" x 1/4" aluminum and styrene. 

The body is styrene and a cab from a K-line KCC MP15.

I plan to have the slug at the club's first meeting in a few months for "show and tell".

@D500 posted:

Oh, thank goodness - now I don't have to build a "jointed boiler" ATSF articulated. You have. It looks sharp. ATSF articulateds are on a planet of their own, anyway. In a good way.

How about a thread on your loco with up-close photos. I want to see the joint, especially.

(For those who are unfamiliar, the ATSF jointed "boiler" wasn't really quite that, though that is the common term for it. The actual boiler was the rear section, and the front was a large feed water heater/re-heater. I forget the exact arrangement; I need to get out one of my Santa Fe books.)

I'm pretty sure Lee articulated that build. heh heh. This forum or another.