Replacing Swing-open Cab Doors on a Lionel E-6A Diesel Loco?

If it were me, and it's not, I'd remove the doors from the donor shell, lose the springs and hardware, and neatly glue (from behind) the doors in place. Spring-loaded opening cab (etc) doors are something that I honestly never, ever operate. They could leave them out (along with "spinning fans").

Not what you asked, and no "help", but it's an option. 

D500:

I considered that alternative. If there's no "quick fix" suggestion forthcoming from OGR FORUM members, I'll go that direction. You're right -- I'll never "use" those spring-loaded cab doors.  Few, if any, other hobbyists do.

Mike Mottler    LCCA 12394

I'm only weighing in because I have recently had to remove similar doors from a passenger car and then glue them in place without the hinges described below (which got in the way of installing something else in the car). I really don't know if this applies to your engine although my project also involves a Lionel product.

The spring, which is not exactly a robust part, is mounted on a kind of upright bar on the hinged side of the doors, each of which had tabs on that side which were press-fitted into fairly large molded-in hinges on which they turned. These I managed to work free; looks like the spring otherwise holds them in place as well as keeping the door closed. I imagine the reverse process would re-install them.

Hancock52:

Thanks for your suggestion.  I have some small "jewelers tools" that might be helpful with this mini-project. I'm not an experienced craftsman, but I'll attempt this "surgery" tonight.

Mike M.   LCCA 12394

D500 posted:

If it were me, and it's not, I'd remove the doors from the donor shell, lose the springs and hardware, and neatly glue (from behind) the doors in place. Spring-loaded opening cab (etc) doors are something that I honestly never, ever operate. They could leave them out (along with "spinning fans").

Not what you asked, and no "help", but it's an option. 

You saved me from suggesting this.   I can't imagine why I'd need operating doors, my plastic engineers can't open then anyway!

Come on John, What if you magically shrunk down to one forty-eighth scale how are you going to get into the cab?

Oh, OK I'll shut up.

Recently; I needed to transplant a door on a sd70 cab. In the case on the cab there are fine hinges inserted into the body. I was able to use a large pin a get them out. A close picture would really help. At first I thought it was molded into the plastic. 

After thinking it through, I decided to apply the practical wisdom offered by OGR FORUM members to this Lionel E6A diesel shell project; i.e., GLUE in place its side doors and abandon the "opening doors" feature.  No one will know the difference, and I won't tattle on myself.

With appreciation,

Mike Mottler      LCCA 12394