Removing cheesy plastic details

[FJ and G]

A long-term project of mine is to add wire ladders, catwalks, grab rails, spare MU hoses etc etc etc on locomotives and freight cars that currently have them molded in place.

The question I have is, how do you remove them?

I used a dremel and melted a tank car with it. In feb05 MR, they suggest using a chisel. What about a razor?

Anyone ever try this operation?

I have to leave in one hour, btw, and after that will view this post on Tuesday.

[3railguy]

shave off the plastic with a razor knife and hobby file. Touch up with hobby putty and wet sand smooth with sandpaper designed for plastic. When drilling holes for new details, use a hand twist drill. Do not use an electric drill because the heat from friction leaves a gooy hole. Or heat up the metal details and push/melt them in place.

[FJ and G]

Thanks, John,

For the catwalk, that would be a lot of shaving. What about sand- or emory-paper for that operation?

[wrmcclellan]

Dave,

I can't resist. Did you try a cheese grater?

Really - I use a stationary belt sander - taking just a bit at a time to avoid heating the plastic.

Regards,
Roy

[3railguy]

Dave, I like Roy's suggestion using a belt sander to get the majority of the catwalk off. Maybe Harbor Freight has one with a flat top that you can lay upside down on a table.