Skip to main content

IMG_7214

IMG_7215



Admittedly, this is not a serious issue - but I'm curious.  I picked up an MTH O-27 streamlined Santa Fe combination car and coach car to add to my LionChief Super Chief RTR set.  The MTH cars are pretty much exactly the same as the Lionel cars and fit right in.

I planned to run the combination car behind the baggage car in my consist, but the MTH car is oriented with the baggage compartment behind the passenger compartment.  If i set up the consist to let my little passengers walk back through the train to get to the observation car or the vista car during the excursion, they'll be riding backwards!

Is the MTH car assembled backwards and is it possible to re-orient the interior? Or is this just the way it is and my passengers will have to ride backwards?

Walt

Attachments

Images (2)
  • IMG_7214
  • IMG_7215
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Walt,

The seats are obviously facing backwards for the normal direction of travel.

It's not an easy thing to fix because only the passenger compartment portion of the interior needs to be reversed.  The baggage compartment portion is apparently ok as is.

It looks like some cutting and refitting inside would be required to spin just the passenger section around.

Mike

Last edited by Mellow Hudson Mike

That is a light weight car and I am not as familiar with them.     In heavyweight cars, the seat backs could be reversed.    the conductor or brakeman would walk through and set them in the direction of travel at the end of a run or the beginning.    Sometimes a group of 4 would arrange them to face each other lke a restarant booth.   

so if the conductor did not change this, it could happen on the prototype.

Well, looks like i stripped the head of one of the two screws from the bottom of the car to the post that holds the roof on and I can’t remove it at this point.

Flashlight examination from the outside through the windows and end doors leads me to believe this interior is all one molded piece, so trying to re-orient the passenger space seems it would require precision trimming at the baggage compartment bulkhead at one end, and the restrooms / vestibule at the other.  I am not at that skill level yet.

I think I will adapt prrjim’s take - the seat backs are not switchable, but for my excursion train this will be a group or party compartment for special outings / parties where everyone already knows each other so they’ll be milling about and walking around the train anyway.  It’s all just pretend, anyway -

Thanks everyone

@D44 posted:

Flashlight examination from the outside through the windows and end doors leads me to believe this interior is all one molded piece, so trying to re-orient the passenger space seems it would require precision trimming at the baggage compartment bulkhead at one end, and the restrooms / vestibule at the other.  I am not at that skill level yet.

An X-Acto Razor Saw might be all you need to make that separation. It might also be time for you to try to up your skill level!

https://ogrforum.com/...2#159096765534061392

Funny story in relation to this. My girlfriend, now wife, and i were riding the Essex CT steam excursion one nice fall day about 12 yrs ago. We happened to be the only couple in one end of a coach in which the other end had a tourist group comprised of all Asian women.  The train reached the end of the line, the engine ran around and began pulling us back.  My wife said we're looking backwards so i said no problem, got up and reversed the seat back.  Well one tour group member saw me and sounded the alarm to the others who all got up, switched their seats, and profusely bowed and thanked me with huge smiles.

@Farmall-Joe posted:

Well one tour group member saw me and sounded the alarm to the others who all got up, switched their seats, and profusely bowed and thanked me with huge smiles.

Nice to see that you were honored for your take-charge attitude.

I did the same thing on a steam excursion quite a few years ago, and received a tongue lashing from the car volunteer.  He was threatening to boot me off the train if I tried it again as he restored the seat to its original state.

Mike

Last edited by Mellow Hudson Mike

Add Reply

Post

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Ste 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×