Detailing Lionel NYC 20th Century Limited 21" passenger cars by John Rowlen

Cascade Spirit 10-5 Pullman Sleeping Car Interior Painting + Seven Seats Added

Thursday. January 18, 2024 was a productive day.  I finished painting the interior of the eighth and final New York Central 20th Century Limited passenger car, the "Cascade Spirit" Pullman Sleeper.  I first painted those interior details that came in the car: seats and furniture.

In order to add seven more missing Seats, I purchased a Lionel Pennsylvania "South Wind" two-pack of Coach cars.  I cut out five seats from the front of one car where I will build a Snack Bar like I did in my Rio Grande Ski Train "Winter Park" passenger car.  (The figures are from Woodland Scenics "Bicycle Buddies" and "Depot Workers".)

Next, I did grinding on the bottoms of the seats I cut from the coach floor.  (See the last photo.)  Because I had pre-painted the seats, there was a contrast between the useable seat in tan and the old coach floor I needed to remove.

I glued the seven prepared new seats in the car where seats were needed.  Tomorrow after glue dries and I sleep, I will add the passengers to this last of eight passenger cars.  I will take pictures of the last two cars through the windows.

Have a good weekend.  Sincerely, John Rowlen

Cascade Spirit 10-5 Pullman Sleeper with Preiser 65602 Seated People

The eighth and final car in the Lionel New York Central 20th Century Limited passenger train is finished with people that I painted.  Here are two large pictures and some smaller close ups.  I will assemble the car and take "Through-the-Windows" pictures tomorrow.  Have a good evening.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Through the Windows of the "Cascade Spirit" 10-5 Pullman Sleeper

The Lionel NYC 20th Century Limited cars are now finished and running on my layout.  Here are a few pictures of the "Cascade Spirit" completed car.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Through the Windows of the "Imperial Court" 4-4-2 Pullman Sleeper

The seventh car to be completed was not shown yet.  Here is the completed Imperial Court 4-4-2 Pullman.

It has been fun.  Now this train is done.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

What?  I thought he was done!

Now arriving, the New York Central "Southwestern Limited".

Like the baker at Dunkin Donuts . . . I got to paint more People.  Fortunately, the seven car interiors plus VistaVision Dome are all painted.

Have a good weekend.  I am celebrating with HOT Chocolate!

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Just checking to report the Hot Chocolate was good.  I have added the pastel blue, pink, green and yellow to all the women in the four Preiser 6602 24-packs.  The men are getting suits or jackets painted today, Sunday, January 21, 2024.   No pictures, but scroll up and see what my table looks like covered with Seated People.  The Lionel New York Central Southwest Limited cars will be detailed with people later this week and for the next two weeks.  Making Progress!

Have a good week.   Sincerely, John Rowlen

John great looking cars WTG I added seat to PRR Williams cars some time back with passenger seats made a big difference also been updating some Railking cars. Great Job keep posting Mark

Mark,  I have some MTH interiors I bought from Trainz that I hope one day to put in my childhood Santa Fe passengers.  The people make a significant contribution to the appearance of the cars.

Here is a view of all eight New York Central 20th Century cars being pulled by my new C&O #614 that just arrived.  The #5452 Dreyfuss is headed back to Lionel Service.  Have a good week.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

I just took 96 more Preiser 65602 Unpainted Seated People off their sprues and am ready to paint hair and shoes and other detail features.  This is the fun time when each figure begins to show its personality.  It will take me at least three more days to finish these 96 figures.

Have a good week.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

March 24. 2024 ... Dreyfus #5452 returns from Lionel Service with new MOTOR and BOARD.

It is nice to get the engine back. The engine originally made a loud "POP" when the ZWL transformer was turned on.  Smoke came out from the engine Drivers.

The repaired Dreyfus #5452 now makes a hissing sound at high volume and higher speeds over speed step 64. Lionel turned the sound way down when they returned the engine to me, so the technician was probably aware of the hissing sound like a continuous brake or steam release at higher volumes. It was turned down four volume levels.

Here is a brief video now that it has returned to the eight New York Central 20th Century Limited passenger cars I detailed.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

John, do you cut the heads off, paint them separately then re-attach?

@John Rowlen posted:

March 24. 2024 ... Dreyfus #5452 returns from Lionel Service with new MOTOR and BOARD.

It is nice to get the engine back. The engine originally made a loud "POP" when the ZWL transformer was turned on.  Smoke came out from the engine Drivers.

The repaired Dreyfus #5452 now makes a hissing sound at high volume and higher speeds over speed step 64. Lionel turned the sound way down when they returned the engine to me, so the technician was probably aware of the hissing sound like a continuous brake or steam release at higher volumes. It was turned down four volume levels.

Here is a brief video now that it has returned to the eight New York Central 20th Century Limited passenger cars I detailed.

Sincerely, John Rowlen

Looks great!

Joe,  The Preiser 65602 Seated People come with the need to glue the parts together after they have been painted. The man holding the baby in one arm and a bottle in another, also needs his head glued on.  This is one figure the Chinese have not been able to copy in one piece.  After the head and arms are glued together, I touch-up the paint with my matching custom mixed paint to hide the joint lines where parts are joined.  It is an effort of love, or maybe insanity.  Preiser gets over $150.00 for their factory painted 24 figures. I pay about $39.00 for the 24 blanks, but they are currently out-of-stock.  The Chinese are out of their copies.  Only over-painted and rough quality people are left available.  The Chinese blanks are all sold out.  Guess who bought the very last from Ebay.

Have a good week.

Sincerely, John Rowlen