Hello everyone...
I would like to illuminate the interior of a passenger car of the LIMA brand and I am clueless about how to open the car so as to place the strip of leds.
Can anyone please give me a hand?
I enclose some pictures Thanks so much
More photos of the vestibule ends, and the edge of the roof would be helpful. This "vaguely" reminds me of my AHM units.
Look at the roof ends and see if there's a tiny gap. If so, the roof is likely removable, although it may be on tightly. On your photo I can see a gap at the top of the vestibule door. See if you can insert your fingernail at the roofline, slide it from one end to the other, and watch for the roof to lift up slighlty.
If this works, don't use a screwdriver as you can damage the roof, just continue working it up by hand little by little.
Here's one of my AHM (European made) observations cars with the roof removed:
The weight issue is an easy fix as you can obtain flat metal material from hardware or home stores and cut them to fit (or have them cut for you). Make sure that you'll have clearance for your electrical wires or tabs to run through for lighting.
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Modelers here can likely be more helpful to you if you asked all your related questions on just one thread, post more photos of the equipment you have that you have questions about and provide more more information as to your railroad plans.
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
I can't see exactly what you have, but I think that the roof and windows are all one casting that slides in the body of the car. At the floor inside, there are catch tabs that go through it. These should be accessible from underneath when you turn it over. Push them gently to unsnap them. You'll find that some toothpicks come in handy for keeping the roof/windows from sliding back into catch mode as you work the tabs loose around the car, lifting the roof up.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL