LGB LCE Improvement project

[Dave Hub]

As some of you may have gathered from previous posts concerning motor blocks and sound unit I am making a start on improving the basic LGB LCE train. for those of you who are not aware, this is a nice toy, the problem is all the windows are stickers and transfers.

I brought a 2nd hand LCE last year after always wanting one when I was younger, (I'm living the dream, and easy to please) unfortunately the body was a little beat up so I decieded it'd need a paint job and thought I'd improve it at the same time. Fast forward six months to now and I have finally cleared enough space on the work bench to make a start.

Before I start giving the commentary I must add that I aquired a 2nd LCE train last year with the intention of running them as a twin set, only when it arrived it was the newer version with different graphics and nose cones. I have now decided to merge them into one train. I will modify both styles of cab and whichever looks the better will be the one that gets put on the finished 5 car train.

 

[Dave Hub]

Ok I will skip some of the boring bit, as much as you folks like pictures I don't think you ned to see pics of me using the girlfriends nail polish remover to take off the existing graphics.

So I started to cut around the windows using the existing stickers as a nice guideas to where to cut. not eactly easy as they arre curved but all the same it seemed to work ok, no turning back now then.

 

[Dave Hub]

Due to the fack that the train was not designed to have an interior there were some structural modifications needed to make enough space for a cab. so more chopping is needed.

 

[vasim]

Modify the lot and then run a 5 car rake with spare end units and change them about as the mood takes you. If you find you aren't running one particular type of end unit, put it on Ebay as a modified pair. Do a good job you should recoup your money.

 

[Dave Hub]

I had to construct all aspects of the cab, back wall, front panel, new floor due to all the moding bits on the models original floor, many of which you will not really notice unless I tell you I have done eit, so as It took most of an evening I'm telling you it needed to be done.

 

[Dave Hub]

Then some cab detail was needed, no point having windows if there is nothing to see inside.

+A seat, made from plasticard,

+a man who began life standing and had his legs chopped off, and new milliput sitting legs made. This was my first time at messing with people Its not great but his legs will mostly be under a console.

+and a crude driving console made of plasticard and milliput, will hopefully look better when its painted.

 

[Dave Hub]

The next job was to fit all the various components of the cab interior, and then using plasticard, and styrene strip I made the external doors and glued these to the outside of the cab.

 

[Dave Hub]

All thats left to do now is tidy up a few rough edges around the windows, then I'll be doing the same process on the newer version of the cab before I move onto the main body.

I'll post pics of the new cab look here when I do it over the next few days.

 

[Rob s]

Hi Dave
Very nice so far, keep up with the pictures
Having seen the real things go past there is usually quite a glow
in the cab, are you going to put any lights in side
Rob

 

[mbiff]

ding dand do

 

[3Valve]

Looking good Dave.

 

[Woderwick]

Yunno, GSC is full of wonders. The diversity never ceases to amaze me.

Please keep up the good work.

 

[mike]

something ive wanted to see done for ages, brillent, please keep up the good work!!

 

[Gizzy]

You're a brave man Dave!

Looking forward to seeing the finished article....

 

[yb281]

Have to agree with everybody else Dave, really looking forward to see how this turns out.

 

[GarryH]

Great job, Iv'e got an old one of these and have long thought about a chop job so this post will be revisited by me.

 

[Dave Hub]

Ok here is what I've been doing with this over the weekend, It took a lot longer than expected, but I managed to get directional lighting fitted to both ends of the train, both head and tail lights. It might not seem like much but when you consider I did not even know about bands on a resistor this is a big achievement for me.

I installed the lighting in the newer version cab, but it can be removed and put into the older cab if I prefer it when all is done. As you can see from the photo the windows are cut out of the cab and I have started on the interior as well. I hope to finish the cabs this week, then It'll be add doors to all coaches.

Working on 5 cars in one go is a BIG job.

 

[GarryH]

............... I did not even know about bands on a resistor this is a big achievement for me..........................

Thats what makes this hobby so much fun doesn't it!.......................loving this thread.

 

[Steve]

There may well be a good reson for the delay

 

[Philbahn]

Really good conversion Dave more please