Hi guys..
More like venting than a question but also wondering if it's just me. I was organizing a couple of sets I have on shelves in my office today when I noticed that the 'shade insert' on a 6517 caboose from my 2263w set had apparently become dislodged. I'm referring to the small section of black cardboard that Lionel inserted behind the 'glass' on the center windows. Geez..I'm a collector and not much of a fix it guy but seemed like a quick fix. NOT. What a PITA. After removing the small screw and dislodging the ladders from the shell top, both cab end platforms off, I slipped it back in behind the window insert.. Easy, right? Putting that **** thing back together was another story. Sliding the shell into the rear slot while keeping the rail platforms in place was tough enuff but than having to get the bottom of the ladders into the 2 tiny holes on the platform required way better vision than these 60 year old eyes have........ Done but lets just say I can see why so many turn up with cracked railings. I have a pristine Unrun 6517 Erie as well. I noticed that both '66 cabooses(the other being the TCA car) have the top of the ladders folded over under the shell. Mine has the ladders on the INSIDE of the cab railing platform on both ends. looks like a factory mistake as they are both straight and uniform. I noticed this a couple of years after acquiring the car and figured I'd redo it 'some day.' After today I'm glad I never touched it. Would have been one thing to damage a rail on the common piece but....... Anyone else go through this? 1'm sure for a tinkerer, this would be a quick, easy fix. Not me!
