B-mann Metroliner Repowered

[One of One-Sixty]

In my attempt to create Metroliner II EMU's I picked the Kato RDC 1 mechanism to repower them, for the simple reason that with the exception of the RDC-4 they was all 85ft long and readily available.  Even though the side details are incorrect, these are Metroliner IIs where some of the original ones was rebuilt while they order new Metroliner IIs.  I can buy with the stock glass from B-Mann they do not fit correctly due to the ends of the glass.

To get these to fit snugly, I had to remove the glass from the Bachmann shells and the I had to removed the end steps, which also doubles as the cow-cathcer/plow from the RDC mechanism.  The couplers also is attached to the side steps, so I will be body mounting the couplers to the car.


IMG00389-20120705-1655 by one-sixty models, on Flickr


IMG00385-20120705-1652 by one-sixty models, on Flickr


IMG00386-20120705-1653 by one-sixty models, on Flickr


IMG00387-20120705-1653 by one-sixty models, on Flickr


IMG00388-20120705-1654 by one-sixty models, on Flickr

[peteski]

Good job on the repowering that unit but I'm sorry, the level of detail and accuracy of the shells is way too toylike for me. The rivets and panel lines are way too exaggerated (even for a non-river-counter like me) and the cab windows (front and side) look like they belong on a deep-dive vessel (way too small and deep).  The side door (with all the rivets) like like a spaceship from a bad SciFi movie from the 40s! That Metroliner looks like a crude Hallmark Christmas ornament.

[FrankCampagna]

Some of us will probably be dead before an accurate model comes on the market. Good work One of One Sixty. Me, I'm looking for fodder for a good enough for me Flexi-van outfit.

Frank

[One of One-Sixty]

peteski:  Thanks, still trying to find suitable window inserts.

I have thought about slicing and dicing an Amfleet I and the Metroliner so that it it looks a little better, and throwing on some BLMA grab irons and MU hoses.

Also I will be cutting out the windows dividers in each window like I did with my older B-mann Amfleet I's and my practice Metroliner so its one single window.

I have thought about cutting out the places where the number boards go and replace it with clear plastic so that it will be lighted with the with the headlights.

Unfortunately until either Bachmann or maybe Kato decides to take a stab at this or I get good enough where I can reworked the shell and have it correctly done I am gonna have to keep molding and playing with these.


No matter which way I go, I know I have a lot of work to do with these things.

[Hiroe]

I've done much the same with some of mine; difference being that I left the vestibule steps on the blind end, and ordered some RDC-4 pilots for the cab end.

--Drew

[One of One-Sixty]

Whats the difference between the pilots on the RDC-4 and the RDC-1/2/3?

[Hiroe]

I'll have to take a photo. I don't recall specifically enough off the top of my head, but it was enough that I went and ordered them.

[Wutter]

The RDC-4 pilot has no "plow" attachment and has stirrups on the side while the RDC-1/2/3 have a little "plow" piece and stairs on the sides.

[LV LOU]

peteski:  Thanks, still trying to find suitable window inserts.

I have thought about slicing and dicing an Amfleet I and the Metroliner so that it it looks a little better, and throwing on some BLMA grab irons and MU hoses.

Also I will be cutting out the windows dividers in each window like I did with my older B-mann Amfleet I's and my practice Metroliner so its one single window.

I have thought about cutting out the places where the number boards go and replace it with clear plastic so that it will be lighted with the with the headlights.

Unfortunately until either Bachmann or maybe Kato decides to take a stab at this or I get good enough where I can reworked the shell and have it correctly done I am gonna have to keep molding and playing with these.


No matter which way I go, I know I have a lot of work to do with these things.

For the windows,you might want to try something I did on my old Bachmann Amfleet cars.I got a bottle of Microscale Crystal Kleer,and put a little black paint in it,just a drop or two.I left the windows in the shell,then filled them up with the mix while I left them laying on their sides..I put in quit a bit,when it dried,it had a clear black tinted look,and the depth of the "holes" wasn't nearly as bad.Just took a little trial and error to get the amount of paint right..I made custom replacement bolster castings to lower them,they look better than the newer ones..