I got real tired of attempting to do work on my MTH engines. Attempting to correct the Electrical pick-up problems and remove the stupid rail sliders.
The engines kept rolling over, especially the articulated. I also was woried about damaging the detail on the top.
I measured the longest engine. The Big Boy was about 32 inches with out the tender.
I looked thorugh my piles of scrap. I found a solid 1 inch thick board. I also have a lot of perf board and blue foam and white simidense foam.
I glued the blue board under the hard wood. This so as not to scratch my table or bench. Then I measured the height of a aristo craft passenger car minus trucks = 6 inches.
I ripped the perf board to 6 in.
I picked up a pack of 2 inch angle shelf brackets (4) in a pack for $2.00 and 1 pack (2) 2 inch cabinet hinges and a pack of (4) 1 inch square hinges for $2.50 each.
I glued the white foam to the rough side of the perf board. I rip sawed four 2 inch pieces that is 6 inch high.
I mounted the angle brackes near the edge of the hard board. I measured the with of the passenger car. I cut a long length of the white foam to match. I glued it over the hard board and the brackets.
I paired up the four 2 inch wide pieces. I connected the two with a set of 1 inch hinges. I mounted the heaver cabinet hing under each of the perf board of the pair.
I placed the white foam against the car side and marked the hing plate hole location and mounted the hings.
Now I place the engine on the floor and lift the two hinged sides. I turn out the side to secure the engine in place.
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