Date Line: October 2025 – March 2026
Introduction
I am always looking for a “project”. I prefer to find derelict cars or locos (in most any scale) and then restore them to be sold. I ran across such a derelict in Florida in October 2025. I spied an abandoned Plum Cove switcher that had been disassembled and rusted. All the frame parts were there along with both drive motors. One motor had new gears (previous ones had worn out) while the other still needed the new gears (supplied) installed. I decided it would be a good project.
Restoration Begins
The first task was to sand all the parts and get the new gears installed.
Frame sanded and ready for paint 
Ready for replacement gears 
Newly painted frame with motors
Electronics
Once I had the chassis prepped and ready, I set about building the new electronics package. I’ve done this several times so I knew what I wanted and how I wanted to lay it all out. Here some pics of the setup.
Control Board – Side 1 
Control Board – Side 2
Assembly
Here are a few photos of the assembled running chassis without the cab.
Batteries and controls 
Internals finished 
Side view w/o hood 
Front view w/o hood
Cab
All that remains is to build the cab and get it painted. I’ve decided to build the cab from wood instead of steel. I think it will help deaden the sound of the motors and gears better.
Cab sides cut out awaiting assembly
Final Thoughts (so far)
Altogether, the restoration took a bit longer than I had hoped. Part of that is my fault…life got in the way of my hobby. Some of it was unexpected delays due to the holidays and bad weather. I am happy with the end product so far. Since I don’t have any real need for it myself, I will be looking for a buyer very shortly.
Here is a video clip of some of what went on during the restoration as well as the final testing. Enjoy!
TBD