Great job Mike! Just a tip from me if you're working with an old set of decals, give the sheet an overspray of gloss, semi-gloss, or matt clear spray. That layer of clear-coat will help to hold the decals together. In fact, after a decal disaster with some new Micro-Scale decals 50 years ago I began overspraying the new ones and never had a decal come apart on me again. I used to use Testors, swore by it too, but I can't find it anymore where I live so I've been using Tamiya and it works just as well.
Nice! Purchasing extra shells is a good way to go. I found a very clean 2356 shell at a show, a number of years ago and it came in quite handy. I have a some extra Santa Fe F3's and I needed an F3 to share duties pulling my Southern Crescent passenger train. I took a slightly scratched up shell off of a 2353 and I got a nice, Southern F3, for almost no cost. Some day, maybe I'll try my hand at painting some beat-up shells, so I can add some engines to my collection, without spending too much money. An excellent video, as always.
I've been working on a customization project recently that I plan to give to a friend as their first proper train set. What started out as a rather plain Lionel 1061 has been given a showstopper blue paint scheme and will soon have a fully serviced and relatively nice-running motor as well. Combine it with some MPC era cars, 027 track and a simple but functional postwar transformer and it should turn out to be quite a nice starter set.
I wish UA-cam allowed pics in the comments. I just finished Rebuilding & customizing a Lionel 6465 tank car that was in sorry state. Only 2 wheels were undamaged by rust, the frame had rusted through in places, and sections of paint had fallen off. I replaced the trucks, repaired the frame, and custom painted the tank. Too bad I can't post before and after pics here.
I recently finished my biggest custom project yet! I chopped up a Lionel general body to fit on the chassis of a K-Line O27 pacific. I wanted a budget friendly 19th century ten wheeler with a few cosmetic modernizing retrofits, so I built my own. It’s not exactly museum quality and there’s a very obvious 4 wire plug going to the tender (it was the only place the reverse board would fit) but it’s mine and it still looks great! I plan on reusing the shell from the pacific and a spare tender for a mikado, anyone got chassis suggestions, something preferably with smaller wheels than the 726.
Looks awesome, thanks for the tips. 💯
Great job Mike!
Just a tip from me if you're working with an old set of decals, give the sheet an overspray of gloss, semi-gloss, or matt clear spray. That layer of clear-coat will help to hold the decals together.
In fact, after a decal disaster with some new Micro-Scale decals 50 years ago I began overspraying the new ones and never had a decal come apart on me again.
I used to use Testors, swore by it too, but I can't find it anymore where I live so I've been using Tamiya and it works just as well.
Great work Mike.
Another good idea. Thanks.
You're welcome!
Nice! Purchasing extra shells is a good way to go. I found a very clean 2356 shell at a show, a number of years ago and it came in quite handy. I have a some extra Santa Fe F3's and I needed an F3 to share duties pulling my Southern Crescent passenger train. I took a slightly scratched up shell off of a 2353 and I got a nice, Southern F3, for almost no cost. Some day, maybe I'll try my hand at painting some beat-up shells, so I can add some engines to my collection, without spending too much money. An excellent video, as always.
Thanks!
Great video
Thank you!
I've been working on a customization project recently that I plan to give to a friend as their first proper train set. What started out as a rather plain Lionel 1061 has been given a showstopper blue paint scheme and will soon have a fully serviced and relatively nice-running motor as well. Combine it with some MPC era cars, 027 track and a simple but functional postwar transformer and it should turn out to be quite a nice starter set.
Sounds like a great gift for your friend!
I wish UA-cam allowed pics in the comments. I just finished Rebuilding & customizing a Lionel 6465 tank car that was in sorry state. Only 2 wheels were undamaged by rust, the frame had rusted through in places, and sections of paint had fallen off. I replaced the trucks, repaired the frame, and custom painted the tank. Too bad I can't post before and after pics here.
I recently finished my biggest custom project yet! I chopped up a Lionel general body to fit on the chassis of a K-Line O27 pacific. I wanted a budget friendly 19th century ten wheeler with a few cosmetic modernizing retrofits, so I built my own. It’s not exactly museum quality and there’s a very obvious 4 wire plug going to the tender (it was the only place the reverse board would fit) but it’s mine and it still looks great! I plan on reusing the shell from the pacific and a spare tender for a mikado, anyone got chassis suggestions, something preferably with smaller wheels than the 726.