Yes of course there's no "ET 800".....

Or is there?




(Source - https://trixstadt.de/stammtischberichte/bildberichte-2011/historische-modellbahnen-berlin-04-12-2011/)

I have had for many years two 'orphan' items, the Chassis & Motor and Trailer Body for an ST 800. The chances of finding the missing other parts to reassemble it are so remote as to put it out of mind.

So I'm thinking to myself, what else can I do? - yes I could sell them of course (capitalist), or I could do something creative (artist).

The idea of this fantasy "ET 800" really appeals to me.

Looking at what I already have, I can see three main steps.

1: Create a replica of the existing rounded end and somehow bond it to the other end of the body. Or.... obtain another identical body, cut both where required and bond.

2: Mill the frame where the Jacob's truck is attached, and create a new suitable end with mounting for the truck. Or again, obtain another chassis and do as above.

3: Modify the existing Jacob's truck, probably as simple as removing the tower housing and creating or buying a new mounting pin so that it is secured virtually the same as the driving truck.

And finally, repainting as required, I don't consider this a part of the custom steps because it's a given that repainting would be required anyway, in whatever colour scheme I preferred - either Blue or Green but not likely Red, because one already exists

I know that to many people, the very idea of the modifications required would be considered sacrilegious. There would be no going back and it could be argued it was a potential ST 800 lost forever.

On the other hand, these are sometimes parted-out anyway so I'm not so swayed by that argument.

So this is an appeal to those who have already done something similar. How would you go about doing what I propose?

Custom casting of the required parts?, if so, how, and from what materials, would it stand up to handling etc?

Or alternatively, would it be easier and more practical to buy original parts containing what I need, modify (cut) and attach as required?

The items I have already are in good condition. I've already overhauled the chassis and motor, and it runs very well (like a dream actually - sooo smoothly) and can be driven already as a stand-alone unit (see video below) so I figure I'm already well over halfway there.

So, I'd be really interested in ideas on how I should go about this.

I need to make it clear I do not have the skills myself to tackle this, not within a bulls-roar, but I know people who do, can, and would.

What I need to figure out based on the best suggestions for doing it, is who I decide to talk to and which method/s are ultimately going to be most cost-effective.

ie do I buy a sacrificial body or do I pay someone to fabricate what's needed, taking them time and end up paying much the same?

I have no expectation of having an item of any value at the end of it. But, in saying that, if the fantasy "ET 800" above made by Gert were to be offered for sale, as a custom creation, there would be NO shortage of willing buyers and probably for a respectable price. It's really just a single-unit DT 800 after all and does not look at all unrealistic.

Of course, should anyone here 'happen' to have any of the parts I would need to fabricate, ideally a body or chassis that is already damaged, do please PM me !!!