I went to my local Great Train Expo in Anaheim, CA yesterday and blew $300 worth of stuff, haha. Among my finds was a brand new Kato Amtrak P42 in Phase V scheme for $62.50! So as I'm putting it together, how do I install the headlight lens and number board? Do I just press it on or do I glue it somehow?
I haven't had any problems losing the headlight cover, but the number board(s) on Kato units tend to disappear, so I have glued them in from the inside, after removing the "cab interior" parts, using a liquid cement. I also thought that the number board was lit up too brightly, so I painted the back of it with a thin coat of light gray paint. It looks much better to me now, but your opinion might differ. You could put a piece of masking tape over the inside of the numberboard to see if it looks ok to you. You can always get another headlight cover, but the numberboards aren't available except undecorated. Mark
Grab the shell at it's edges between the trucks and pull outwards lightly (away from the frame). Now the frame should drop/glide out of the shell. My two P42s come apart very easily, no need to place any toothpics or whatever tools between the shell and the frame to keep the locking tabs from re-engaging.
I just pressed the numberboards, light cover and MU hose's in place and have never had a problem with them poping out. Kevin
