Has anyone customized thier Polar Express-esp the 027 versions?

Cando, you did an amazing job. And you were kind enough to show pictures and answer question on how to do this. You are true craftsman!

I became really inspired by reading your posts and seeing the pics, and I want to attempt this on a MTH 60' Madison and paint in the PE color scheme. I ordered a used one from eBay and will try to make one when it arrives. I'm a little nervous but it was a used car and it was a decent price, so if I mess it up I won't feel too terrible!  

thank you again for all your pics and posts. If it turns out I will post pics! I'm hoping it will be done by next Christmas lol 

mike 

Mike,

I was CandO, the one that did these modifications...my screen name has since changed.  I don't frequent this forum anymore, but I received a notification of your reply.  Thank you so much for the kind words and I look forward to seeing your upgrades.  Make sure you pick up some "Squadron premium sanding sticks" for shaping and blending the roof.  Makes the job easier.  Good luck and enjoy the project.

I took a conventional O27 PE locomotive and did the full command upgrade.  It got ERR cruise and sound, an MTH fan driven smoke unit, and a Super-Chuffer.  I added cab figures and LED lighting all around.  The cars so far have just gotten LED lighting and the observation got the red LED in the tail light.  I added a remote controlled sound module in the baggage car with some Polar Express clips to play as I run.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I took a conventional O27 PE locomotive and did the full command upgrade.  It got ERR cruise and sound, an MTH fan driven smoke unit, and a Super-Chuffer.  I added cab figures and LED lighting all around.  The cars so far have just gotten LED lighting and the observation got the red LED in the tail light.  I added a remote controlled sound module in the baggage car with some Polar Express clips to play as I run.

John, regarding a query I posted for you quite a while back on this topic, have you since yet figured a way to do the engine upgrades you mention, (with the possible exception of the fan driven smoke unit conversion), for Lionel's 0-27 P.E. engine, SKU: 6-18754, that has the whistle steam smoke effect and still have the whistle steam work with the tmcc conversion and keep the engine's original crew talk and sounds, too?

Btw, could the whistle steam smoke effect be kept if your MTH fan driven smoke unit with Super-Chuffer mod was also done to the engine?

I was thinking that the ERR Sound Converter could be retrofitted to trigger the whistle steam and drive the standard audio, that might work.  I haven't figured out all the details or how that would work, but all the elements are there.  I don't see fan driven smoke without a bunch of mechanical work, but that would sure be an enhancement.  The real issue is the time involved and what I'd have to charge to do the work I suspect.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I was thinking that the ERR Sound Converter could be retrofitted to trigger the whistle steam and drive the standard audio, that might work.  I haven't figured out all the details or how that would work, but all the elements are there.  I don't see fan driven smoke without a bunch of mechanical work, but that would sure be an enhancement.  The real issue is the time involved and what I'd have to charge to do the work I suspect.

Thanks, John, I'll most certainly follow up further with you on this mod and it's probable cost at York on the 15th. Btw, will you be at Henning's both on the 15th? Wouldn't want to miss talking to you about this long sought after mod.

I'll be there some of the time, but I have to go look for that "must have" item too.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I'll be there some of the time, but I have to go look for that "must have" item too.

Of course, John, besides being a great innovator and talent for our hobby, you're first and foremost a hobbyist like many of us, always searching for that next, cool, elusive, gotta have item with unique and intriguing modding possibilities. Good luck and hopefully will catch up with you somewhere at York on the 15th.

This is all great stuff everybody. Thanks for posting all these ideas and mods; I'm full of ideas now. I also found this 'smoking hobo" complete with coffee and socks: any of you responsible for this masterpiece?

Not me, but it's pretty cool.  I'd probably tone it down just a bit, it looks like the car is about to explode!   There's no doubt it's smoking!  For flames, I use a few flickering LED's of various colors between red and yellow, makes a really cool fire.

Not me, but it's pretty cool.  I'd probably tone it down just a bit, it looks like the car is about to explode!   There's no doubt it's smoking!  For flames, I use a few flickering LED's of various colors between red and yellow, makes a really cool fire.

ogaugeguy posted:

Good luck and hopefully will catch up with you somewhere at York on the 15th.

 I'll be at the Legacy breakfast if you're going to hit that one.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Not me, but it's pretty cool.  I'd probably tone it down just a bit, it looks like the car is about to explode!   There's no doubt it's smoking!  For flames, I use a few flickering LED's of various colors between red and yellow, makes a really cool fire.

 

ogaugeguy posted:

Good luck and hopefully will catch up with you somewhere at York on the 15th.

 I'll be at the Legacy breakfast if you're going to hit that one.

Unfortunately, John, since my wife's school begins their annual PSSA state testing that week she can't take off from teaching so I'll be coming solo this time driving to York the morning of the 15th and returning home in the evening. Although I'd been hoping otherwise, there will be no  time for enjoyable leisurely breakfasts or dinners this time around, just a hurried one day visit.

Bummer, you can catch up in the fall.

Michigan and Ohio, 

Thank you for the tips! I really hope I can pull this off. I do carpentry for my job, if it was full scale, I know I could do it with no problem! But.. It's funny how shrinking everything down will make it harder on me! Lol I'm gonna give it my best shot. Just waiting for the car to get here.i was wondering what you used for rivets?? How did you make them?

and thank you again,

Mike

Wyatts dad posted:

Michigan and Ohio, 

i was wondering what you used for rivets?? How did you make them?

and thank you again,

I purchased the rivets from TichyTrainGroup.com

You're welcome.

Oh you're awesome!

thank you again, so much! 

I did this with a spare Pol Ex Berk 

That's very cool! 

How did the re-lettering go? How did you do it? I bought a decal sheet for my berk but I haven't done it yet..

Wyatts dad posted:

How did the re-lettering go? How did you do it? I bought a decal sheet for my berk but I haven't done it yet..

I used nail polish remover to take off the polar express logos and paint. I then used a glossy black spray paint and let it dry. The decals worked well and It hasn't had any peeling issues I've seen. And it's held up very well for being an engine used daily on the small layout at the Steam Railroading Institute. 

It looks so good! You did an awesome job! How did you do the little numbers near the light? I need to change my numbers on my MTH berk to 1225. I bought some decals for the tender and the Large 1225 for the engine but I didn't see any small ones like that tho.. 

I actually used an old black soft cover book and super glued it under the headlight. 

Wow it looks good up close even! That's awesome 

Hi Micigan, Ohio!

i'm still gearing up for my MTH polar express conversion. I just ordered an airbrush to do the paining and I was trying to find your post on the type of paint you used on your Lionel observation car.. If you have time to reply about this I would greatly appreciate it. I hate to bother you with this and I'm sure it's been some years since creating that masterpiece. But did you use oil based paint or acrylic? And if you can remember the color of the blue that you used that would be extremely helpful! Again you've probably been asked this many times over but if you have a chance this week to respond to me, again I would greatly appreciate it!

type of paint? And color of the blue?

thanks again for your words of wisdom! You're the scratch build master! Lol  

mike