I've picked up five of these and I was wondering if some of you guys out there could help out with a couple of things....... 1, Four of the cars are in an awful chromium finish (the other is a much nicer looking representation of stainless steel), any suggestions how to remove this finish? 2, I intend to semi-permanantly couple all five cars, however I need to replace the end couplers with micro-trains, what couplers do I need, also how do you get the old couplers out? Any suggestions would be great ConrailPete Conrail lives on in the UK
Pete, I have also heard Dullcoat mentioned in a couple of boards for remedying the chrome finish. As far as the couplers, I asked Bachmann via e-mail and their official answer is the 1134 coupler, which I used and which works very well and is one of the simpler M-T conversions I've ever done. Just gently pry off the Rapido coupler/pocket and the 1134's will fit right back on....just follow the M-T directions and you'll be set. One drawback (but not a huge one) to the 1134's is the spacing between the cars is pretty wide. I'm not sure if there are any similar M-T's that are shorter but they might look a little bit better. Alternatively, I got some responses from other modelers about body mounting 1015's or 1027's, but that would of course require larger radius curves to be practical. Other things that make these cars look much better: 1) blacken the chrome wheels with NWSL's "Blacken-It" product, and 2) paint the window sills and center window posts black, and 3) tint the windows. I have modified two of the "non-chrome" Bachmann cars in this manner and they look pretty good. I am in the process of adding MV Lens marker lights on the ends and weathering them, as well as kitbashing an AmCafe from a third Amfleet coach. The only problem I am still struggling with is the operational and electrical qualities of the wheels....right now my P42 just drags them down the track! I plan on putting together an article on this as soon as I get everything finished and I'll post the link here when I'm done. Regards,
Pete if you decide to use a dulcote, try to use an acrylic such as Poly Scale or Testors Acryl. The Lacquer and Enamel can craze the plateing. For Poly Scale #404106 mix 3 parts flat to 1 part Polly Scale Thinner #556008. Model Master Acryl Flat #4636 is pre-thinned, and ready to spray. Spray either one with your favorite airbrush at about 16-20 PSI with a medium/wide nozzle or needle. If you don't use an airbrush and have to spray with a can, go with an enamel, as enamels are not as hot as lacquers. Good luck!
Thanks guys! I'll give the dullcoat a try, and have a think about the Micro-trains couplers you mentioned Doug, although I would like to close that gap a bit!! I don't think I'll be able to go for body mounting as my curves will probably be a bit tight in places (when I get the layout built). I want to convert one of my cars to an Amcafe so I would be interested in how you went about it. ConrailPete Conrail lives on in the UK
Another thing you can do to the Bachmann cars is to take them apart and get rid of the light diffuser. It will make the cars less top-heavy. While you have the shells off, paint the interiors a burgundy-red colour. Remove the electrical contact springs from the inside and reassemble the cars. Take the trucks off, remove the wheelsets and remove the stamped-metal pickup wipers. Then, reassemble the trucks, making sure the wheel gauge is correct. You will notice the rolling qualities will improve a bit. As a last item, add 1/2 oz. of weight to the underside of the car in the center to lower the center of gravity. I have six of these modified cars behind my Kato AMD-103 and it works very well. The LLK F40PH looks pretty good, too, and none of the cars overtax these locos. I also used an MT/ Kadee (they were still Kadee when I did my cars twelve years ago) coupler conversion kit. I think I used the #1129 kit as I recall. I just wanted a simple installation in the original coupler pocket. Hope this helps, Mike Bartel IHP http://ihphobby.tripod.com groups.yahoo.com/group/commutermodeler
