Other than finding a different alco shell with a good front nose, what are the repair options? I have AA 218 that I grew up with and still run the heck out of today. Just makes me want to cry, they seem naked.
How broken is it? Parts missing or just badly cracked? The plastic shell can be cosmetically repaired but fixing broken/missing “bosses” (the things the screws attach to) is trickier.
If you’re looking at the front where the coupler is, there is not much of anything below the frame. These were my dad’s and he since has handed them down to me so the parts are decades gone. I presume I’m SOL.
Thanks for your reply.
I saw a company advertised in CTT , that sales a " sleve " type repair piece.
It covers the bottom,but I 've never seen one in person to know how it really looks.I would like to know myself,because I have a few runners that I 'd like to try some on.
I’ve also looked in junk boxes at swap meets for busted shells that might have a good front nose ,to transplant a good skirt from.[:)]
Lionel had a fix for the broken front. It’s a metal plate with a hole for the coupler and it fits inside the nose of the loco. It gives it a new “chin”. These are still available in repro from parts dealers. I think you will like the improvement.
Neil
Thanks to everybody who replied. I will explore all the possibilities.
Do you by chance remember the advertiser?
Thanks.