MTH 18 inch passenger cars Help needed

Easy peasy. Just remove the screws and lift off the shell. MTH uses spring contacts, nothing to pull apart. With the shell off the seats will be free as well.

Pete

There’s nothing special to worry about, take out the screws, and pull the shell away, the era of cars you’re describing have contact pads with springs for overhead lighting, just be mindful the little box with the springs stays in its slot, and also be mindful of the steps, ….they’re extremely fragile….ask me how I know….🙄…

Pat

I have had a few body mount posts break when removing the screws.  I’ve been told that the plastic used around 2000 can get brittle with time.  I also think that some screws were over torqued when the cars were first assembled at the factory.  When removing screws, set the screwdriver firmly and slowly increase torque until the screw breaks loose.  If any posts break, don’t worry.  They can be repaired.

If your cars don’t have LED lighting, I would recommend removing the incandescent lights and installing LED lighting while you have them apart.

I certainly would upgrade to LED lighting if you have the cars apart.  The difference in light quality will be substantial!  The 18" Premier cars are one of the easiest types to work on, they come apart very easily.

The cars with interiors but without figures are the ones with the brittle plastic problem. Steps and mounting posts mentioned are most vulnerable. I have broken steps just putting the cars back in the box. If you are able to remove the screws without damaging the posts too much make sure you clean the plastic off the screws with a wire brush and it doesn’t hurt to drill out the holes slightly so the screws go back in easier.

Pete

Thanks everyone Again does anyone have a clue as to what would be a prototypical color to paint the seats?

I'd look for some prototype NH passenger car pictures if you're looking to be faithful to the prototype.

Every one I’ve seen are a very dark blue. Google Rapido Trains. They make high quality passenger cars in the smaller scales. There’s a review of an N scale coach in the black scheme on You Tube. If you watch it long enough the body is remove and you can see the seat color. They build runs of cars for the New Haven Historical Society. So I’m confident they got it right.

To make it easier to reinstall the screws, place one small drop of oil on the bottom of the screw. 

Bruce

@Norton posted:

The cars with interiors but without figures are the ones with the brittle plastic problem. Steps and mounting posts mentioned are most vulnerable. I have broken steps just putting the cars back in the box. If you are able to remove the screws without damaging the posts too much make sure you clean the plastic off the screws with a wire brush and it doesn’t hurt to drill out the holes slightly so the screws go back in easier.

Pete

On the last set I did, I drilled the holes to 7/64".  They went back together with no problems.

@bruce benzie posted:

To make it easier to reinstall the screws, place one small drop of oil on the bottom of the screw.

Bruce

I've often seen the use of a bar of soap used as a lubricant by dragging the screw over the soap. 🤔

@Dallas Joseph posted:

I've often seen the use of a bar of soap used as a lubricant by dragging the screw over the soap. 🤔

Yep, that or wax.

Dave C Thanks for your help