PF Conversion: Metroliner

[kyphur]

Video of it in action

I'm sure there have been a lot of PF Conversions fo this fine classic set but I figured I'd share my work with everyone here.

[pinioncorp]

I put my receiver under the pantograph, so the roofline is not compromised. The on button is accessed though a button on the roof. I'll take some pics if anyone's interested.

[kyphur]

I wouldn't mind seeing pics of your PF conversion...

I assume you put the battery in the middle then. With the battery under the pantograph I had to put the train motor to the rear of the loco for traction.

[ZueriHB]

Nice conversion there!

I didn't shy away from modifying the roof, so this happened:

[kyphur]

Nice conversion there!

I didn't shy away from modifying the roof, so this happened:

Thanks, I like your conversion but I always try to preserve the Engineer's cabin.

I'll post more pics tonight.

I've added a power button (functions like the Yellow Cargo Train) under the Pantograph

I've added PF Lights. Not only are the "headlights" lit but the Engineer's Cabin lights up as well. The PF Lights are always on when the battery is turned on. It's cool how the Cabin glows in low light now!

BTW, my roof is modified quite a bit just doesn't look like it:

1. The section above the Engineer's Cabin is a separate removable piece.

2. The last 2 studs length at the rear of the Loco is removable to access the LiPo charging port.

3. The length between these sections is solidly affixed to the Loco.

[kyphur]

Here are the updated Pics...

First is a VIDEO showing the Front Lights & Engineer Cabin Lights when I turn the Loco On & Off.

The Pantograph Power Switch:

The Redesigned roof with just 2 small removable sections:

A close-up of the LiPo Charging Access Hatch:

(You can see the Power Switch in this pic)

[pinioncorp]

I like your conversion Kyphur, it looks great with the pantograph button and easy charging access.

First of all, forgive my bad photography. I have indeed put my battery in the middle, as it balances the weight evenly. You see, usually I'd say that I always put two motors on my trains, better than the sum of the two, etc. But I went a little overboard with this one. It has four.

Other than the small vents on the roof, it looks pretty standard. Obviously I have taken the windows out, as I don't want to be looking into the components.

The small vent is the power switch. I used a grille tile because 1. it looks nice enough, 2. it is flat to the touch unlike studs, and 3. It lets the light from the battery box let me know whether it is on or not. I don't have lights on mine at all, so it is definitely handy. While it just sits in there, it doesn't fall out if tipped upside down.

The IR receiver sits under the pantograph fairly inconspicuously. The pantograph can still be folded down on top.

Inside is quite snug. Mine is a bit messy inside, so I decided to move the switch to the other car. The extra cables in mine take up a lot of space.

The second car also has two motors, and a battery box, all fed off the same IR receiver. It's not power effecient by any means, but I wanted it to go FAST (It does! ).

[kyphur]

I just want to say that these two posts are exactly what I was hoping to get as replies to this topic.

While I like my PF Solution it's nice to see how others have accomplished PFing the Metroliner.

Of the 3 solutions now shown in this thread I can't say one is better than the others because each builder had specific goals in mind and we each met our goals.

I didn't shy away from modifying the roof, so this happened:

I like your conversion Kyphur, it looks great with the pantograph button and easy charging access.

First of all, forgive my bad photography. I have indeed put my battery in the middle, as it balances the weight evenly. You see, usually I'd say that I always put two motors on my trains, better than the sum of the two, etc. But I went a little overboard with this one. It has four.

Other than the small vents on the roof, it looks pretty standard. Obviously I have taken the windows out, as I don't want to be looking into the components.

The small vent is the power switch. I used a grille tile because 1. it looks nice enough, 2. it is flat to the touch unlike studs, and 3. It lets the light from the battery box let me know whether it is on or not. I don't have lights on mine at all, so it is definitely handy. While it just sits in there, it doesn't fall out if tipped upside down.

The IR receiver sits under the pantograph fairly inconspicuously. The pantograph can still be folded down on top.

Inside is quite snug. Mine is a bit messy inside, so I decided to move the switch to the other car. The extra cables in mine take up a lot of space.

The second car also has two motors, and a battery box, all fed off the same IR receiver. It's not power effecient by any means, but I wanted it to go FAST (It does!).

Pinioncorp,

Wow 4 PF Motors! I bet it really flies! I do like the "B-Unit" Idea. That was how I finally settled on PFing my SantaFe Super Chief (despite originally having the Loco PFed). Of course my SFSC B-Unit has 2 motors for pulling power more than speed. With 6 Cars (my Pleasure Dome is WIP) and the Loco to move the B-Unit has to be able to move a lot of bricks & plates.

I would really suggest adding the PF Lights to your engine, it looks really nice. If you connect the light to the IR Receiver (instead of direct to the battery like I did) then you won't have to deal with as much wiring as I had to cram into small voids (more pics of that in a day or two) but you won't get the neat effect of lights always on.

I also like your idea of hiding all of the electronics behind bricks instead of windows but I do prefer to preserve the original look of the models as much as I can and being a long time Sci-Fi fans I've bought into the concept of "Willful suspension of disbelief" a long time ago so I'm not too bothered by seeing some of it.

I completely understand why you had to balance the weight by placing the battery in the middle. I had to rearrange the bogies & undercarriage to move the PF Motor to the rear (under the battery) as it had almost no grip when the battery was at the opposite end of the Loco.

Next for me will be PFing 4511 (High Speed Train) and then the infamous BSNF PF Conversion (I think BNSF will use PP3 > PF for power so I can preserve the exterior look as much as possible)!

At some point I'll revisit my Super Chief B-Unit to:

1. Move the battery to the center

2. Add an external power switch

3. Reduce the roof opening to only access the charging port

I'm also considering making some printed images to put behind the windows of both the Metroliner & Super Chief B-Unit to mask the components but that's low on my list.