Model Railroading on the Cheap

              I thought I would try opening the door of a pickup truck for another scene of action on the layout. I had a few LifeLike pickup trucks that look good enough for arm’s length observation so I tackled the job of opening the driver’s side door, planning to glue the door back on now permanently open. I planned on the job taking at least two trucks because you will lose a door and a cab by cutting it up with this process, you should use trucks of the same color to save painting. I filed a chamfered edge to both the door and body at the hinge line. The tools required for removal of the first door were a sharp Xacto knife, a hand drill, sprue cutters, files and an emery board.  I learned that one should give lots of thought to this task. I accidently broke the door’s window frame but was able to save it with a drop of plastic cement. It might be wise to have a third truck on hand if you mess up big time.

 I learned that with the door open you can see inside and it will need a floor and a seat to prevent seeing the grass. I used the cab roof of the second truck for a seat but it will need something for support from the floor. I used a piece of plastic RR tie to support the seat and a paper card for the floor glued to the bottom side of the bed. The second cab roof also yielded the seat back, glued to the rear wall of the cab interior. While re-installing the windshield I discovered that I had glued the seatback up too high to be able to re-install the rear window so I left it vacant. If you want to paint the seat, do so before installing the floor. I painted the inside of the door a light gray color for a bit of contrast. I don’t have a dashboard or steering wheel and may not use then as it is so dark inside their absence may not be noticeable.

This job turned out much more difficult than I first thought. I am not the happiest with how this turned out, but I am glad that I tried it. Now maybe I should drop down the tailgate for additional variety.