GEC's Layout Progress

[Green_Elite_Cab]

Recent progress

Began work on my PATCO cars, drilled out the handrails, but now i have to do the lights. The problem here, is that unlike other IHP models, the lights are "outies", not innies, and so getting it dead center will be a pain. I'll probably drill with something small first, and then slowly work it down with a round needle file, and leave a little rim before i got all the way.

Still haven't figured out the destination sign solution. I'd like to make them be detachable, though i want to avoid using sticky stuff (magnetic would be better)



Also started to work on my Silverliner III. I cleared out the windows (roughly, might need to go in again later with a file to make sure its all smooth), and removed the ladder off the one end (only the pantograph ends had ladders). I was going to drill grab iron holes, and then continue on to the Arrow IIIs (so that all the body shells were ready for Alclad II base coat), but i didn't get that far before other things came up.

Basic parts of the kit. There are more, but this is the meat of it.



While initially i sliced off the ladders to get most of them off, i found that a technique i used to remove gaskets on real Diesels actually seemed to remove the "lumps" of where the ladders used to be no problem. I simply held the blade flat against the face of the model and pulled it over. This didn't gouge or dig, but if anything was raised up, it chiseled away.



Before-



Nice and clean shaven!



Here it is with the windows all out now, sitting on top of all my Arrow IIIs in their boxes. Should be just about ready for paint soon. I gotta get a hold of some "Gothic Condensed" # decals for these cars, that seems to be the right font for the Silverliner III (which has different number styles from the other SEPTA units)