No.442 Diner Restoration

I restored one a few years ago. I started with this.

I made the steps and others items to inish it. It now looks like new.

I am happy the way it turned out.

No one makes parts for this accessory. Ron Morris used to make the steps, but has stopped making them. They are fairly simple and cam be made from wood and hardboard with a little work and patience. The hedge is simply loofah which can be purchased on line and cut to size. Staining or painting it the correct color is the trick. The grass is old Lionel green sawdust and can be sprinkled onto the wet paint. The pine trees at each corner or crudly cut piece of loofah painted the same green as the hedge.

 

Gandy

I still make ALL the scenic parts for the 442. Email off line.

 

Ron M

I mase everthing myself that was missing. The Grass is old Lionel Grass.

 

 

It's available now in my profile.

 

Ron M

Ron also makes high quality scenic plots for Lionel villas and bungalows.

Here is the Diner in question.  Should it be repainted?

A couple more.

I would.I like everything to look New.

Replace the missing parts and clean it up. The paint chips help tell a story about your mother and how it was hers as a little girl. Not some **** fantasy story about imagining a little boy playing with it.

I have to agree with Jim C. Replace the window material and the shrubs, gently clean it and call it good. If you restore it completely, it loses (IMO) the much of the charm and sentimental value of having been your mothers. If you want one to look like a brand new one I would find a really beat up one at a show and restore it. This one is really not in bad condition. Again just my opinion

 

Roland

I'm with the keep as much original crowd. Some of your favorite auto polish will do wonders for it, just avoid polishing the lettering.

 

Steve