A
Alec K
Guest
Well, the C and W shop here has a new project- rather sooner than I anticipated, perhaps.
Let me say at the outset that if anyone recognises the specific vehicle in the photographs that follow, I am intending no criticism of its previous owner(s). One of the great benefits of GSC it seems to me is that we can quickly see how differently we create our railways, and the many and various perspectives we have for our very individual lines. To anonymise the Post Van a little, I have removed the dry print lettering that the previous owner had applied.
I have already started to disassemble the vehicle, which came into my possession yesterday. As you can see, the original finish survives only in most of the interior, except where overspray has penetrated it. All external transfers, and in some cases moulded letters, have been removed. The exterior has been sprayed with what seems to be grey primer with no masking, so that the black running gear and wheelsets have also been partially sprayed. The two rear marker lights have had the red-and-white side targets scraped off.
Electrically, the lighting and pick-up systems are sound, but as most of the carbon brushes had become deposited on the backs of the metal wheels, I have ordered a replacement set, having retained the small springs. The wheels have been completely cleaned, including the removal of overspray.
The roof and some of the interior was partially coated in a gritty back paint that had not fortunately not fully adhered, and this has been washed off in hot soapy water. The roof seems to have been an originally grey moulding, but the LGB 2008 catalogue picture shows it to be black. I would guess that I have a very early version, therefore, as there are two round-pin sockets just below the roofline on each end of my vehicle for the lighting cable extensions.
Please may I now ask for the help of GSC members?
[UL][*]Given the condition of the my vehicle as you now see it, how would you progress the project? It seems to me that I could: attempt a full restoration to near-original paint colours, but this would involve sourcing all the various German-language transfers and logos; restore the near-original paint colours without attempting to replace all the transfers; refurbish the vehicle with a new body colour and a generic but appropriate Postal Service branding; or some other approach that I haven't considered![*]Please could those with expert knowledge of these LGB Post Vans advise me on the correct roof colour and, if at all possible, estimate the age of my van? [/UL] As always, all help, advice, and opinion on the restore/refurbish options will be very gratefully received. Apologies for the length of this posting.
Kind regards,
Alec K
Let me say at the outset that if anyone recognises the specific vehicle in the photographs that follow, I am intending no criticism of its previous owner(s). One of the great benefits of GSC it seems to me is that we can quickly see how differently we create our railways, and the many and various perspectives we have for our very individual lines. To anonymise the Post Van a little, I have removed the dry print lettering that the previous owner had applied.
I have already started to disassemble the vehicle, which came into my possession yesterday. As you can see, the original finish survives only in most of the interior, except where overspray has penetrated it. All external transfers, and in some cases moulded letters, have been removed. The exterior has been sprayed with what seems to be grey primer with no masking, so that the black running gear and wheelsets have also been partially sprayed. The two rear marker lights have had the red-and-white side targets scraped off.
Electrically, the lighting and pick-up systems are sound, but as most of the carbon brushes had become deposited on the backs of the metal wheels, I have ordered a replacement set, having retained the small springs. The wheels have been completely cleaned, including the removal of overspray.
The roof and some of the interior was partially coated in a gritty back paint that had not fortunately not fully adhered, and this has been washed off in hot soapy water. The roof seems to have been an originally grey moulding, but the LGB 2008 catalogue picture shows it to be black. I would guess that I have a very early version, therefore, as there are two round-pin sockets just below the roofline on each end of my vehicle for the lighting cable extensions.
Please may I now ask for the help of GSC members?
[UL][*]Given the condition of the my vehicle as you now see it, how would you progress the project? It seems to me that I could: attempt a full restoration to near-original paint colours, but this would involve sourcing all the various German-language transfers and logos; restore the near-original paint colours without attempting to replace all the transfers; refurbish the vehicle with a new body colour and a generic but appropriate Postal Service branding; or some other approach that I haven't considered![*]Please could those with expert knowledge of these LGB Post Vans advise me on the correct roof colour and, if at all possible, estimate the age of my van? [/UL] As always, all help, advice, and opinion on the restore/refurbish options will be very gratefully received. Apologies for the length of this posting.
Kind regards,
Alec K
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