A Baggage Car for the Panorama Express

[playmofire]

I have three of the Playmobil Panorama Express coaches to be pulled by my 4052 loco. However, I have often felt that the train somehpw looks "unfinished" and that a baggage car is needed. I've thought a long time how to do it when last week I remembered that I had some red plastic stick on sheet used sometimes by aeromodellers which was close enough to the right shade for a dummy run. So here is the result, but please remember it is only a trial version. Whether to find a closer match in the stick on sheet or spray paint the panels is the question now.

[Richard]

Hello Gordon,
As you might remember, I have always been interested in Playmobil and LGB trains. And, in my opinion, you’ve done a great job creating your baggage car for your Panorama Express!
Love the photos. Especially, the one by the water!
Question: Gordon, at your ripe old age, are you still able to comfortably get down on the floor/ground to set up your trains? I’m sure that you remember that I’m a bit older than you. Age and arthritis has now negated my being able to romp about on the floor. Unfortunately, I’m now limited to table top track layouts.
Gordon, thanks for sharing and all the best,
Richard

[Tiermann]

A simple and elegant solution Gordon, it looks great! I may have to try thst since I have ended up with quite a few of these csrs. Did you make any internsl modifications, or plan to?

[Giorginetto]

Beatiful , thanks for sharing

4052 is one of the best playmo sets of the 80s if you ask me . Them baggage cars looks great with the 4052 loco 

[playmofire]

A simple and elegant solution Gordon, it looks great! I may have to try thst since I have ended up with quite a few of these csrs. Did you make any internsl modifications, or plan to?

I'm thinking I will try and fit some form of racking in the blanked off part with suitable cases on it and maybe a partition door between that area and the rest f the carriage, which would become seating for the reserve crew and guard.  If I do this, I think I may leave a clear strip down the middle of the roof panel to let light in.

[playmofire]

Beatiful , thanks for sharing

4052 is one of the best playmo sets of the 80s if you ask me . Them baggage cars looks great with the 4052 loco 

Thank you, Giorginetto.  The 4052 is run as a steam rail tour combining steam power with modern rolling stock, although  it would be nice to have some Oriental Express coaches too.

[playmofire]

Hello Gordon,
As you might remember, I have always been interested in Playmobil and LGB trains. And, in my opinion, you’ve done a great job creating your baggage car for your Panorama Express!
Love the photos. Especially, the one by the water!
Question: Gordon, at your ripe old age, are you still able to comfortably get down on the floor/ground to set up your trains? I’m sure that you remember that I’m a bit older than you. Age and arthritis has now negated my being able to romp about on the floor. Unfortunately, I’m now limited to table top track layouts.
Gordon, thanks for sharing and all the best,
Richard

It's good to see you here again, Richard, and thank you for your kind comments.  The pond does provide a good setting for trains and I used to have a there-and-back RC track along two sides and one end of it, but I'm not happy with the idea of running track-powered trains, not for any electrical fears but worries about the falling in the "drink".

Answer to your question, Richard.  I certainly find it harder to get down in the floor/ground and sometimes harder still getting up from them!  It's called old age I'm told.  I was diagnosed with level 1 spondylitus earlier this this, which seems to have resulted from one very restless night while we were away.  Bouts of numbness in my back suggest that it may now be more than level 1, but in the present circumstances the hospital is not taking referrals for treatment.  However, regular exercise, Pilates and walking seem to improve things greatly and not leaning over from the waist helps or not leaning forward to see the computer screen.  I do find that I can lay about indoors more easily than outside, e.g. on the floor watching the TV (when I can also fit in a bit of Pilates or exercise).

Currently under lockdown (and we are also on self-isolation as Diane is vulnerable high risk because she is on steroids) I've been allowed to have a layout in the dining room and I must say I am spending a fair amount of time spread out on the floor in the best Hornby advert style.

Tabletop layouts do limit what you can do, but with a shuttle layout you can do quite a few things.  Here's a link to my YouTube library which has a window ledge shuttle layout on:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCshcNmCiDls9a9I9yzs5OTA/videos

All good wishes, Gordon

[Richard]

Gordon,
Thanks for the link.
I really enjoyed watching your beautiful little mouse in the hedge.
He looks like he may have become your pet?
I also enjoyed seeing your continuing participation at Kirkbean.
Hope you and Diane stay safe.
Richard

[playmofire]

Gordon,
Thanks for the link.
I really enjoyed watching your beautiful little mouse in the hedge.
He looks like he may have become your pet?
I also enjoyed seeing your continuing participation at Kirkbean.
Hope you and Diane stay safe.
Richard

Thank you, Richard, and I'm glad you enjoyed the videos. 

Your comment about table top layouts made me think it would be interesting to start a thread on it, so I'll set down some ideas. 

Meanwhile, Richard, you and yours keep safe too.

[tahra]

Your new car looks great, playmofire, and that lake photo is indeed amazing!

Thanks for pointing out the mouse video, Richard -
(he's sure FAST!)