QUOTE (SRman @ 17 Apr 2008, 08:17)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Lima Mark 3 coaches (as in your HST) do come apart and aren't usually glued. The glazing and roof are all one piece which fits very tightly into the body shell (sides, false ends and base). You need to squeeze the glazing inwards window by window and put a piece of card or plasticard into the gap to prevent thewindows springing back into place. Once you have all of the windows pushed free of the top ledge of the window apertures you can start easing the roof/window moulding upwards. I can't remember for sure whether you need to unclip the ends of the coaches to assist in releasing the roof/windows but *I think* that this isn't necessary.
I did this many years ago when I wanted to repaint the interiors of an HST set. I also recall breaking one roof at the roof tank moulding. Fortunately it was a neat break that glued back together with no gaps and aquick lick of paint hid it. I am going from memory here, so I may be a little hazy on details. Have a good look at the coaches and see of you can spot the gaps where the joins are.
I was excited to read your message and tried again. Although my coaches are indeed MK 3, but the glazing doesn't seem to be pushable at all. I ended up with a cracked window and stopped. I think I will give up. Thanks a lot for your information. I think my set was produced in 1999 and they decided to make it hard for DIY fans like me. This set is the most expensive one of my collection and I really like it hence don't want to break it. Thanks a lot anyway.
For the lights, in fact people like me enjoy the process of making it more than the result. So I'd rather spend more time to solder tiny LEDs one by one in the vero board. That's the real joyful thing. Although money is not main concern, my experience is that 10 pounds can equip me four coaches. 3mm standard LED will cost only 0.15p each and the vero board is only 3 pounds for a 150 by 100 one, which is enough for more than 10 coaches. I use average 8 LEDs for each coach. Resistors cost almost nothing.
But I will definately try the package because of flickerfree sets which I don't really bother to produce by
myself