Diesel bash based on one built by MickT

[Jeff Schumaker]

Since I began the Lima conversion over a year ago, I thought I'd show how I attached couplers to the body. I used couplers that come with the Microtrains 1017 passenger car bogies. I first cut out the coupler pockets from the frame. The couplers are screw directly into the weights. I'm not sure how well this method will work for other types of couplers.

Jeff S.

[Jeff Schumaker]

Success! The LED holder works like I hoped it would. Now to paint it, so it blends in with the cab interior.

Jeff S.

[B.Meldon]

I have never managed to get these Lima chassis to work very well in 009.
The worst problem I had was with the brass gears shorting out on the point blades as the gears had the same outer diameter as the wheels! But I do not know if this is the same on every chassis.

I also always found the gearing a bit high as well so that at dead slow speeds the motor tends to judder and not run smoothly at all as it is just turning too slow.

They also benefit from as much weight as possible.

The only one I have left is under a Matchbox diesel body, but it gets no use at all.


Brian Meldon

[Jeff Schumaker]

Brian,

I have picked up several Lima mechs from Ebay and trainshows. The better running ones become candidates for conversions. The others become parts sources.

Jeff S.

[Jeff Schumaker]

I discovered something interesting today. The metal (lead?) weights with the Lima mechanism touch the brass contacts which pick up the electricity from the rails. This will make it easier to connect the LED leads.

Jeff S.

[Jeff Schumaker]

I got the rear light working with the cab temporarily attached to the body.

[Jeff Schumaker]

The "cradles" for the LEDs for the Lima conversion have been built and glued into place.

Jeff S.

[Jeff Schumaker]

I ran into a minor setback with the Bachmann conversion. The liquid cement I was using "melted" the .005 styrene I was using for the doors. Fortunately, I was able to scrape the mess off with no damage to the rest of the body. I will try again, using a different type of glue.

Jeff S.

[Jeff Schumaker]

Attempt #2 at gluing the doors onto the Bachmann conversion. I am trying canopy glue. I'm pretty sure it won't craze the .005 styrene like the liquid cement did. Hopefully, it will hold the doors in place. It was a bit messy applying it and I will need to clean things up a bit, once the glue has dried. The divider between the doors is a length of .015 styrene rod.

Jeff S.

[Jeff Schumaker]

The canopy glue seems to be working. More photos shortly, hopefully.

Jeff S.

[Jeff Schumaker]

I've finished gluing the doors onto the body. Now to figure out where to put hinges and door handles.

Jeff S.

[Jeff Schumaker]

i've added some quarter round to the backs of the "wings" on the bonnet. I need to file them to the correct shape.

Jeff S.

[Jeff Schumaker]

Corner round is sanded to shape.

Jeff S.

[Jeff Schumaker]

I've started to put .040 quarter round where the bonnet meets the cab, to hide some imperfect cuts I initially made.

Jeff S.

[Jeff Schumaker]

The "trim" around the bonnet has been glued in place. Finishing touches need to be applied.