I wish manufacturers wouldn’t glue engineers in dummy units. They really ruin an otherwise good looking lashup. These guys are really bonded to the shell. Anybody have a safe way of extricating their little carcasses without distorting the shell? I was thinking of turning a dremel grinding wheel loose on them!
Rich F.
Just paint them with Testor’s invisible paint. That way, you won’t see them, but you won’t damage the train. Jim
I’ve never seen invisible paint?
Rich F.
Have you tried painting the engineer the same color as the shell? In other words you camoflage him.
Lee
You’ve never seen invisible paint?! Your local hobby store should have it in stock. Paint it on the figures instead of grinding them with a Dremel tool. Jim
You’re not supposed to see invisible paint; so don’t assume that your dealer doesn’t have it. After all, if it’s in stock, they’ve got it.
By the way, the best brands use a pigment of unobtainium oxide.
They stock it by the light bulb repair kits.[8]
Try a razor and mail the little carcass to me. Some of my locos are driverless
The Testor’s brand uses Illudium as the active ingredient.
Despite all the flippant replies, Rich makes a good point. The manufacturers could save a few cents by simply eliminating cab figures from dummy units (which would then tick-off those who operate A-A combos with the dummy unit facing forward). Seems like it would be one of those darned if they do, and would be darned if they don’t situations.
In the past, I’ve simply used an X-acto knife with a new (sharp) blade to make such modifications to locomotives I’ve had where I wanted to remove or replace the cab figures.
Like Allan suggests, some operate the dummy A up front. Perhaps it would be best if they made all engineers capable of being removed without too much difficulty. I would like that option. Of course, I like mostly steam and post war, so I have to add my own figures.
Dennis
Since a dummy is just a car masquerading as a locomotive, I generally run dummies first, to minimize the number of cars behind the real locomotive that are available for “stringlining”.
If you run the engineered dummy up front and presumably the powered engine second in the consist, wouldn’t you have the same problem: a little figure in the 2nd engine. It’s like my Western Hobbycraft trolleys have a motorman on both ends - I like it though - the interurban’s in such good shape, they have conductors or two-man crews
Right–it doesn’t help the man-in-the-wrong-place problem; but it means that there is no good place to omit the figures that will satisfy everyone.
Actually, with newer air-conditioned Diesels and coated windows, it is almost impossible to see into the cabs anyway.
I still can’t understand why a loco sold individually as a “non-powered unit” doesn’t come with even the most rudimentary functioning lights. [2c] [|(]
I run my “dummy” engines in the front of the lash-up. That way I’m able to use my electro-couplers for the consist or uncoupling the “dummy” engine.
I run dummies in themiddle of the lash up due to the electro coupler thing. I could add them I bet. I have added smoke and lights [with off/on switch] to mine. Was easy to do. That way I can run it up front as the lead engine.
I usually just ignore them.
You’re kidding us, right? [(-D]
Allan, Maybe you could share a picture of a lash-up on your layout so we might be able to concur with your opinion. Here is yet another lash-up on my layout. I would be all for having the figures removable rather then not there at all.[(-D]
(Tom, You’re going to have to “click” on the picture to enlarge it.)[;)]
