I just found an N Scale gondola and model that've been mysteriously missing from my collection for nearly two years. I looked everywhere for the pair to no avail. A few nights ago I was sitting in my chair and noticed a strange, small shadow behind a wall lamp that's below a shelf I mounted on the wall to hold freight cars. You can guess the rest. The car and model somehow took a tumble, but instead of hitting the floor, they saved themselves buy falling into a space behind the lamp! Here they are, safe and sound. I built the knuckle loader from a cast metal kit decades ago and I still think it's pretty cool. The cab rotates and the unit will side on the rails.
I was just going through the boxes to find a spare part when I got an idea..... Why not to have an old Rivarossi parade on my module? Track 1 (left): 740 and 741 @ consolidations Track 2: 691 Pacific Track 3: 747 Mikado Mainteinance track: 940 2-8-2T Diesel track: 737 (Former UK 7F, that is not Rivarossi, but it is OO scale, and the old Rivarossi were a little less than 1/87) Below a close look up on the Mikado and Pacific. Nothing close to US locos, these two had 18 to 20 ton axle load and 1750hp and were the most powerful in Italy, but could go only on SOME mainlines. The others were around 1000hp and 15 ton axle load (yes, 33Klb) Note the tenders which derived from a batch of locos (consolidation) ordered in the US around 1890, riding on a close version of archbar trucks. Now nothing had gone away (at least Rivarossi wide)
Blessed by a generous friend recently, I am again an owner of an N Scale Arnold Rapido 0-6-0 just like the one I ruined as a kid trying my hand at painting and detailing. Whatever I chose to strip the paint destroyed the body shell. I loved this li'l engine and was broken-hearted when I ruined it some 40+ years ago. Rapido's 0-6-0 was a fine little engine and I'm SO happy to have it back. I also have Rapido's matching train of passenger cars to match.
Brake Fluid can take paint from plastic without damaging it...soak it...then brush with soap and water.... at least thats my expericence.
Brake fluid is often a good choice, although Kato's body shells sometimes despise it -- I ruined a set of F Unit shells years ago using it. Kato's shells and paint react well to rubbing alcohol. I later used it with perfect success on a Kato GP unit.
Its a good idea to try whatever stripping agent you are using on the inside of the shell first. That way if there is going to be a problem, you can hide it.
The Lionel collection my mom sold off, after my dad died when I was 14 years old. She talked me into agreeing that my beother and I were too old for trains. My dad kept getting us Lionel sets for five years after this movie was taken...
Man, that's wonderful stuff Kenneth. Thanks for posting! Heh heh - my Dad used our Lionel trains to make title footage for our home movies (such as using a caboose for 'The End' segments). You mentioned hot movie lights and as my Dad filmed, our Allis-Chalmers car (like the one seen below) succumbed to the heat and melted!
