On a whim I took out an ancient Bowser kit that I have had sitting around in storage for many years (probably twenty). I was very disappointed to see that the cab roof was bent. As in:
Any suggestions as to how to undo this? I have no idea how it happened, as it was sitting in its foam, and didn’t appear to be unduly pressured. Fortunately I have next to no time invested in it, and I think the casting is still available from Bowser - but it’s $48 and I’d rather see if I can do something about it first. But my guess is that this casting is pretty soft and unlikely to tolerate too much in the way of experimentation.
Try guessing what the radius of the cab was, and go buy some PVC in the diameter that would closely match it. Press the cab roof down on a section of the PVC getting it as close as you can. Make final adjustment with smooth jawed pliers.
It appears by the color that it is an old Penn Line lead alloy casting. Before they were cast in Zinc. You can try just finger pressure to reform the roof. Warming it with a heat gun at the fold and using gloves to protect your fingers from the heat should do the trick. After you get it done I would pickle it in some vinegar and rinse and paint it with an automotive primer.
I was told (by you know who) to make sure I put the trains in with a load of dishes so as not to be wasteful. Even with the trains, the dishes come out clean.[:-^]
Nope - That’s a Bowser Challenger - zinc. Finger pressure won’t do it. The PVC pipe trick might work, but whatever is done must be done slowly, to decrease the likelihood of cracking.
