IMPROVING THE WESTMODEL "WISMAR"

I purchased the Wiser kit from Scholz Modelleisenbahnen @ early 98' and after comparing the Marklin HO, I decided to modify the Z to make it look like the HO version.

The works include:

  1. Replace the ladders on both sides, because the original doesn't quite fit the body and it looks too "thick"
  2. Replace the rail on the roof
  3. Add the bells on both ends of the roof
  4. Add the top headlights on both ends

Before the modification, it is important to obtain all the correct materials.  The ladders came from the ladder set available from Z club-92 Shop, I chose the right size and cut the ladder into appropriate length, then bent them according to the curve of the "Wismer" body and glued them on.
The next step is to replace the rail on the top.  The original is solid and the model looks more interesting after replacing it with a delicate rail.  The rail replacement is from an after-market photo-etch rail set originally designed for static marine models.  These should be available in most hobby shop.  After removing the original rail with a hand held grinder, I glued the painted rail onto the roof.
The bells are available from one of the interesting Z accessories from Scholz.  However, they were a bit too large for the Wismer and have to be reduced prior to install.  It was the most difficult part of the modification since the bell is only approx. 1.3 mm and is round in shape which made it very hard to hold in place to file.  It took a lot of patience and I did think about about giving up.  After 30 mins of struggling, I moved on to the next step to make the bracket for the bells.  I used the holding frame of the photo-etch ladder set and cut the strip into appropriate length, then bent it according to the shape of the bells and finally glue the sets onto the roof.
The last step is to add the top headlights, which were just small plastic parts I found in my plastic scrap box.  After the paint job the final touch is to add a commercial on both sides.  the "Jagermeister" was from the Marklin Z Rail Bus 8831 advertisement printed in the Marklin catalogue.

The Wismar is indeed a very nice and cute model; I enjoy very much its appearance and running it on my small layout.
A special thanks to Mr Yung for lending me his HO "Wismar" for reference.