I am looking for a hobby shop or person that will install MTL couplers on engines and install windows in MTL cabooses for a fee? Are there any shops that do such repair work?
Just a word of caution. Be careful with hobby shops who offer to service and repair your equipment. Remember, I used to work for one. We did our best to make the repairs and we did pretty good at it. However, there were times it would of been better or best to send the product back to the manufacturer, as it might still be under warranty. Well, this doesn't really have a whole lot to do with answering your question about window installation and couplers. There are plenty of good hearted guys and gals here at TB that can help you out and if they have the time to assist you...you will hear from them. Lot's of luck.
Help is around There is a hobby store Chadwick Illinois (my home town) does mail order sales and custom work. There is a man working in the store that does all kinds of custom work and custom painting. See my sig. below for a link or you can PM me and I will put you in touch with the store.
I use my local hobby shop here in Nashville.they do real good work.The Broadway Depot.Ask fo David Broadway at 615-220-2308.Hope it helps.
Wes- The best advice I can give to what you have asked is Do it yourself. The caboose windows- All you really need is a sheet of clear, thin styrene and an Exacto knife with a No. 11 blade. The sheet will last for 1000 N scale windows. Just disassemble the caboose- It is really not hard, carefully glue in the strips, let dry and reassemble. As to the couplers- I was daunted when I started, but purchase the pre assembled couplers, a pin vise, some tiny files and go to it. If you mess up one, no big deal. You will probably be able to get a replacement pilot from the manufacturer. After the first one, you will probably do no better and no worse than a guy in a hobby shop.
Caboose Hobbies in Denver does this kind of work. However the lead time is a little long but the work is excelent. Steve
I've encountered some hobby shops which want to provide "SERVICE" along with availability of merchandise. Since many brick and mortar LHS cannot compete with the e-tail shops discount structure... their way of cinching a customer' loyalty is by offering some services either free or at a very nominal charge. Several years ago... in the age of Rapidos... my LHS' policy was: "If you buy a loco and the appropriate (assembled) MT coupler conversion... we'll do the minor surgery to swap out the Rapido' for the MT for free". Of course...nowadays... almost everything has a knuckle coupler... so... I haven't asked if they still do that. Other things... like installing clear glazing in those 'cabeese'... would require some time beyond simply exchanging couplers. That's something I've never asked about. I know that members of model railroad clubs may have some 'handy' modeler do them a favor... or... barter their services for a piece of your rolling stock or other talent you may have to exchange with them.
I don't know if they are taking any new repair jobs right now. Roger is retiring and I don't think they have replaced him yet. I was in there the other day and they had a sign up saying they are not taking any new repair jobs at this time. Eric
Depending on the loco it's not that hard to do your own MTL conversions. I would say just try one loco yourself and see how it goes.
