Looking for a shell for my MRC/Lima C420

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I picked up an old Monon MRC/Lima C420 for a screaming deal as it had hit the floor and smashed the long hood end of the shell and has no handrails. I am on the hunt for a replacment shel, any road name as I can always get it custom painted to Monon. The drive chassis runs perfectly, but there is a huge chunk missing out of the top of the shell, as well as the headlight/numberboard lenses on that end. Since many of you might live near and attend more train shows that I, I would welcome any and all help to locate a shell. I love the heavy diecast chassis on this model and really want put her back to use on my layout. Mike

2

You can join this Yahoo group and post a “wanted to buy” request. I’ve had REALLY good luck finding stuff on this group.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HOYARDSALE/?yguid=183894164

3

Thanks for the link, I joined and posted my needed item. Cheers Mike

4

Here is a pic of the damage to my units shell. I wonder if a piece from a donor shell, even a different brand could be cut and patched in, just take the whole short hood end off down to the cat walks and replace, like high nosing a short hood GP unit for the NS, just replace the end of the unit. and repaint back to Monon. Anybody up for helping me save the old girl? I am hoping the atlas C420 handrails might fit this unit. Thanks in advance for any help. Mike

5

You can buy a body from Atlas for $3.00, handrails for $2.00. If the chassis runs ok, why not just replace the whole body.

The part nos. are: 993401 with dynamic braking, 993200 w/o db.Handrail part no. 993208. They have a $10 minimum but there are lots of other parts you might want

Jim

6

I have one I will let you have for $5.00. It is in the SP colors, but you can always repaint it. Let me know offline if interested at igoldberg1@embarqmail.com.

7

I would second the Atlas body idea, On atlas’s web site under parts they have pdf of the parts diagrams for the c420 so that you see what parts you need then you go to their store front to order. They seem to have it all in stock. cab, short hood and sill plate. I live in NJ and I usually have the stuff next day.

8

I also have a spare MRC/Lima/Rivarossi shell if the other one doesn’t work out.

As far as using the Atlas shell on the MRC/Lima chassis: The end steps and pilots would have to be eliminated from either the chassis or the Atlas walkway, probably a lot of work either way, while on the other hand it should be pretty simple to plug the handrail holes on the MRC/Lima body and redrill for the Atlas handrails.

9

If a similiar question raised over on idiotboreddotcom about a year ago is indicative the Atlas shell is not a drop-in installation but is going to require a bit of surgery to get it to fit!!

10

It’s also going to require surgery to fill that big hole in the upper rear! It’s possible one might find another unit with a damaged mechanism or just a body and that would solve the problem.

Jim