Upgrading Bachmann 37401 to modern standard

[vanbasher]

Afternoon all, I have been interested in upgrading Bachmann's 37401 Mary Queen Of Scots to it's present condition in use with DRS. I do however need help sourcing various bits which I require to complete the job. I have managed to source some extra lamp irons for affixing above the headlights, I still require a multiple working socket which can be found on the locos front (to the right of the main headlight). Finally the new larger Red tail light filters. Some people may have attempted or successfully completed a job like this so thought I'd put the feelers out.

 

Any information as always would be greatly appreciated.

 

Many thanks,

 

Tom.

Edited January 3, 2018 by vanbasher

[The Black Hat]

This is something that I am currently attempting, by changing 37405 to its present condition and by doing another LL Blue 37 to do 37424/558.

 

The way to get around it is to:

 

1. Buy some spare class 37 nose ends from PHD Designs. You need the one for a headcode box, 37, it will come with no ETH.

2. Remove the noses off your original 37, but these to one side as you will need the parts.

3. Cut out using a modelling knife the red light markers on the new nose to required size. It should almost be the full hole that the old marker uses, about 2mm in diameter.  

4. Paint the inside of the new nose black (to stop light bleed), outside yellow. Test light to see if theres much light bleed. Adapt as needed.

5. Insert bulbs / clear plastic from old nose into new lights for headcode and marker light.

6. Cut hole in clear plasic sheeting using hole punch plier.

7. glue these into place into hole from the front of the new nose (so that it looks like LED light is fitted flush).

8. glue ETH cable box from old 37 nose onto new one.

9. Attach nose to body 

10. Attach body to chassis and test. Should be complete.

 

I am doing my first one and have issues with light bleed, but the process I think should give us both the result we are after. I will post some pics to my workbench thread when I get round to it, as theres been loads of modelling and not much updating there.

 

Hopes that of help.

[vanbasher]

Wow thanks David for your very informative response, I will be the first to admit however I'm useless with drills & paint   I will look into these steps however & see where I get. Many many thanks.

[The Black Hat]

Ask the mods to kick this thread over to the Modifying RTR area, and I will try and help you through it.