How Many Have removed P/E Frames

There's at least two other screws under the molded underframe.  The underframes are held on by one screw in the center:

These are Alton cars, but they're the same thing.

Rusty

Rusty and Rayin"S",

The PE cars have two screws holding on the molded underframe.  Lionel put another at the opposite end of the "tab and slot" end. 

But once removed, the stamped frame is the same, and you still need to remove the two screws that are now visible.

Rusty and Jerry,

Thank you both for the timely reply, the body is now off the car that needed a minor repair. This car had a truck that was hanging by the wires, the washer and retaining clip were inside the car but loose. While the body is off I am going to install the strip LEDs inside to give the cars a better lighting appearance. Again I say thank you for the input. It sure is nice to have a resource like the OGR where we can come for help.

Ray

You'll probably find that LED strip will also draw less current than that big, honkin' light bulb making life easier for the stock set wall wart...

Rusty

Ray,

   You can now purchase mini LED bulbs if you do not want to rework for the LED Strip lighting.  Although the bulbs are a little more expensive I use them and they work great.

Installed them in my Fish Tank Cars and other lighted coach cars this past year.

Just something to consider.

PCRR/Dave

Rusty and Dave,

I do much prefer the LED lighting, I have used the lighting strips in most of the Flyonel cars that I have, they use less power and operate much cooler. I like the strips for the passenger cars because they light more evenly than the one bulb that the cars come with. In this set of cars I am also going to install a board with which I can adjust the brightness of the lighting, haven't done this before. I power the layout with the Lionel 180 Powerhouses so the wall wart will live in retirement.

Ray

Ray,

Great idea about the LED strips and how they light more evenly. 

Which circuit board do you plan on using to adjust the brightness?

Thanks, Mike A.

Mike, I found this on ebay and it does what I wanted.

Ray

1 pcs 3A DC-DC Converter Adjustable Step down Power Supply Module replace F5

Dave, The LED bulbs that you use, do they illuminate like an incandescent lamp or do they emit light only out the top or front of the bulb? The reason I ask I would like something like that to put in my Gilbert switches or turnouts if you prefer, these indicate by color on the sides if the rail is set for through or curve.

Thanks

Ray