Adding cab interior detail

I take a different route.  For diesels I build a box to hide all the interior details, then add cab lights and engineer figures.  I've never considered trying to fit an existing cab interior to a locomotive, and I have no idea how expensive the parts would be.

 The parts are very inexpensive -- figure less than $20 or so on average for the cab box and interior figures.  That being said, if you could let me know what you do to build the "box" that would be helpful.  I am a decent modeler, but not an advanced scratchbuilder by any means.  Thank you in advance.

First, I vaguely recall reading, somewhere, sometime on this forum, about some company that made kits to fit cabs to F3s and perhaps other diesels.  that might be a route to try.

Second, I've added detailed cabs to BEEPS, BANGs, older F3s, etc.  Generally, its not quite as easy as it seems: one of those projects that is usually much more complicated to get just right than it looks going in.   Therefore, yes, you could try a modern cab fitting in an older loco - it will save lots of time if it works, but don't be surprised if it doesn't fit (and definitely, absolutely, post it here if it does!).

Finally, gunrunnerjohn is right.  It's probably best to scratch build the interior and add figures, etc. 

There are cast resin cab interiors that were done primarily for two rail (usually these have horizontal chain drive).  I've seen kits for F/E and RS type locos.  I don't think I've run across one for more modern wide cab diesels.

Well, I'm no master model builder, I can assure you.   I just basically build a box from some heavy black cardboard I have that fits in the cab and hides all the interior wiring and other stuff.  I add cab lights, figures, and occasionally a control panel to add some interest in the cab.  I doubt my efforts stand up to close inspection like the work of many members here.

Well, based on the responses here and the maxim that is in Lee's signature, I ordered some parts and will acquire some heavy cardstock and see how it goes.  If I have good results that are worth sharing, I will report back.  Thank you for the leads, thoughts, and advice.

First set of pictures is a RailKing Cab Forward with figures, some detailing of the cab controls, and you can also see the flickering firebox glow, that's one of the flickering LED's in about 1/2" deep hole drilled in the thick part of the diecast shell.  Looks pretty good in person.  Of course, this one had a cab, so all I had to do is the interior lighting, figures, and the other detailing.  I confess, I cheated on the dial details, Harry Henning painted them for me, he's a much better artist than I am.

Next one is my Williams scale GG-1, you can see the interior cab lights and then

the enclosed box with the figures installed.  Not fancy, but it's better than no cab.

Those engines look terrific!  Thank you for posting.

Well, I'd probably stop short of terrific, but I do think the cab detail added something.   I hate to see an empty cab, so I try to do this to most of them that have no cab detail.

I don't think I've run across one for more modern wide cab diesels.

Well I have. The K-line Sd75 Diesel comes to mind with the "Desk Top" controller. I believe Lionel did a run of these diesels and may have them otherwise brasseur trains may have this part.

This is a MTH RS 3 in which I put a photo of a cab and a figure.

The photo is a nice touch Don.  I was looking for control panel photos to put into a couple of mine.

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You guys with the cab interior photos give a unique perspective. I bet it would look really neat if someone merged the photo with a 3d effect of the control pannel... like a PSC plastic control pannel jutting out from the photo.

Don, can I ask where you got the photo?

To report back, I ordered the EP-5 interior from the newer, more scale appearance EP-5 that Lionel made.  The part number is 6202271011 (Cab Interior w/ 2 crewmen).  Other than removing two screw stanchions on the bottom of each cab piece, and using a knife to modify the forward edges a bit, it went right into my MPC EP-5, no problem. I did find that the crewman with the raised hand interfered, height-wise, so I left him out and each side has one crewman, which is fine.  The side with the motor was a bit more tricky to get in, and the cab piece has to be a bit further forward than ideal to avoid interfering with the square ends of the brush plate, but overall it looks fine, certainly much better than what was there.  Finally, I would note that the frame tab to which the two large blade style bulbs attach had to be bent down so as to accommodate the front part of the cab.  As a precaution, I pasted some tinfoil to the floor of the cabs to protect them from any heat from the bulbs.  I will see how it goes and may install smaller bulbs.  As far as mounting, I simply used Locktite tacky adhesive, which allowed me to reposition the cabs to get the right fit, or best fit, and the flexibility to remove them if the need ever arises for some reason.  

If I have a chance, I will add photos.  Overall, I would say the effect is pretty good, as it eliminates your ability to see a yawning cavity inside the locomotive, adds some interest in the form of an engineer figure, and some three dimensionality to the interior of the cab overall.  The downside is that these pieces were $12 each and there is a gap between the top of the interior cab piece and the top of the ceiling of the locomotive that I can see, but the alternative is mounting the cab interior so it is not level.  

I am also going to try similar surgery with an Amtrak Alco that I have from the Lake Shore Limited set.  A good cleaning and service has it running pretty well, but I notice the screw hole near the back of the plastic cab cover has cracked badly and so first I'll have to use some epoxy or maybe a small amount of fiberglass sheeting on the inside to strengthen that area before I start taking it apart and re-assembling it repeatedly to test fit a cab.  If anyone is interested, I'll report back as well.  Thanks.

I'm wondering if anyone has added details to a steamer's interior - a different type of challenge.  I've never done that but it would be fun and add a lot to some older locos?

I'm wondering if anyone has added details to a steamer's interior - a different type of challenge.

I have done this somewhat with my BRass Williams Steamers of the Mid 1980's. Keil Line sells a steam engine bolier backhead... one with a stoker and one without. I was able to file the backhead down and fit it in my PRR k4[since it didn't have a backhead in the cab to begin with. the beauty of this is you then can detail the backhead with brass guages and other appliances and NOT ruin the steam engine.

Some of the PSC (Precision Scale Co. Inc.)  kits do exactly that.  There are close to 20 pages of Cab interior detail add-on parts in the 3.1 Catalog.  Example:  PSK-9507-1 is a cab interior detailing kit for a Pennsy M1a, page 176 of the 3.1 Catalog.   Catalog 3.1 is O and On3 Steam Locomotive Super-Detailing Parts and Kits, Brass and Plastic.  

I too would be curious to hear of this.  I would be interested in seeing what could be done with my 785 Hudson.  I've got the Precision Scale catalog, and it's great, but I would be more interested in hearing what people here may have done -- this is a creative group.  Problem there, and I believe it is a common issue with these, is that to lock the E unit in place you need to move that little plug from one hole to another on the brushplate assembly, and I think a backhead would certainly interfere.  But maybe a removable backhead with figures would address the issue?

forom member cando did a extensive topic on adding cab interiors in diesels especially Williams e7's.this is the only thing stopping me from buying Williams new engines-beautiful outside appearance but a bare motor showing inside the cab interior,i emailed Williams several times begging bthem to add cab interiors in their enines-got a reply-not interested at the time of my email.if they added a volume control knob to adjust their sound volume and added a 6 dollar cab interior I would be buying Williams.i like 3rd railtrains for their detail-especially their steam cab interiors-never could afford their engines especially their new e7's.

I ordered cab interiors from lionel-for f3's I looked up at newer lionel f3 parts listing and ordered the parts.i have a Mohawk by lionel with no fireman and engineer figures so I looked up the lionel vision line scale 400e Hudson.problem-how to neatly glue these diecast figures /seats neatly and with what typew of glue that glues diecast to diecast.

Note that you're really gluing paint to paint, not diecast to diecast.  I rough up the surfaces and use Loctite 380 to glue my figures in, none have departed the cab yet.