Post by ptc on Oct 30, 2019 17:58:18 GMT
What brought this subject to mind is one of our forum members recently had a passenger train set custom painted that has never been done in O-Gauge. It is a very popular road name, but somehow or other this paint scheme has eluded any of the train suppliers from doing it. When the passenger cars get back from an LED lighting upgrade and the B unit has sound added, hopefully we will soon see a video of it. I am sure looking forward to the inaugural run.
I have gone through customizing on two occassions. For several years, I was hoping that one of the train suppliers would do the Rail Runner operated by the New Mexico commuter rail service. This train runs daily from Albuquerque to Sante Fe. It is without a doubt one of the most colorful paint jobs ever done in railroading. I finally gave up and convinced myself that if I REALLY wanted it, I had to go it alone. I rang up my good friend Harry Hieke and told him about this project. One thing I have learned about Harry over the years, he never says no. I then sent him photos of the Rail Runner and he loved this project. I then found a set of K-Line Bombardier cars and a K-Line F59PHI engine (didn't care what road name they were) and had them shipped to the decal firm Harry uses so that the measurements would be accurate.The cars and engine with the decals were then sent to Harry to complete the job. I was blown away just how good this set turned out. I finally had my Rail Runner train set. Yeah!
The next project came about when Lionel introduced the 115th Anniversary Edition Berkshire in highly polished silver. I am a sucker for Berkshires and this offering got my attention. We first saw it at the TCA Museum presentations at York Meet Week, and on the way back to the hotel, Elizabeth and I asked each other what in the world would we do with just the engine. We then came up with the idea of making a passenger train set out of it. That did it, we ordered this engine at the opening of the York Meet from Charles Ro, It was his first order for it. When we got home, I went looking for a set of K-Line Heavyweight passenger cars (again, I did not care what road name they were). Found a set of NYC cars and had them sent directly to a firm in Wisconsin that specializes in the chroming of hobby items. I mentioned this project to Blue Comet 400 and I thought John was going to have a heart attack. Converting a good set of NYC passenger cars, how could I (just kidding). When finished with the chrome work, the cars were sent to Harry. He did a phenominal job in painting them to match the engine.
So, I am pleased to report that this was a road I had not traveled before in terms of customizing a train set, but I am very happy that I did. My advice, if there is a train set that you really want and it has not been produced, just get one customnized and don't wait for somethig that may never be produced.
Have any of you had a train set customized? If yes, please share the details with us.
You know me, I like my trains--especially my prewar tinplate--in original condition, just as they came from the factory. 
