reskinning WHC trolley as P&W 160 series Interurban "Strafford car"

Much better.  I'm going to have to line the roof with electrical tape, the QSI components are VERY close to the roof. 

Definitely a tight fit. Can't wait to see the final product!

The Electric City Trolley Museum has one of those, I think it's #164.

The step detail has been removed, a styrene spacer has been shaped for each end, and a notch is cut in one end to clear the rechargable battery for the QSI board.

Also I've acquired the paint to be used, save an etching primer.

Slowly making progress on the Strafford car.  Got my spacer cut and fit to the body floor: 

The cutout on one end is to accomodate the battery for the QSI board.

On the base car the battery was somewhat annoyingly visible in the cab.  To mitigate that I'm building a cab insert.  On the battery end the wall is a 3-side affair to accomodate the battery.  This will also make it easier to add the driver and any interior detail in the cab (the main passenger area will be frosted glass because it's chock full o' QSI circuit boards.)

A little "false front" on the back walls of my cabs.  I haven't been able to find any pictures of the control stand setup in these cars.  If anyone has a picture (or something similar) I'd like to have at least a vague representation of a control stand, or barring that, at least have the driver looking out the correct window.   I guess I need to double-check which end the QSI board considers "forward."

I'm still waiting for warmer weather to paint the body.  I'm open to suggestions on the best etching primer to use, as I haven't committed to one yet.  

Also, anyone care to suggest a readily available decal set from which I could take car numbers in this style?

You can get the control stand, etc set of details (and a lot more) and the motorman figure all from Q-car.  Might also be able to get your marker lights, windshield wiper, roof vents, etc there, too.

I've never used an etching primer.  I might give the brass a healthy dip in white vinegar, run that through the dishwasher on a cold water rinse, and dry using acetone before putting on the 1st coat of paint.

Decals?  Might try checking with Berkshire Car Shop.  Otherwise, I'd use dry transfers and avoid the decal film issue entirely.