Painting · DCC & sound · Repairs
Bring new life to your locomotive.
From a custom finish to DCC and sound, Shorty’s Trains helps your models look and run the way you want. We work on brass, plastic, and diecast models, with repairs, upgrades, and custom work discussed around your project.
01 / Painting & finishing
A finish that makes it yours.
Repaints, lettering, detail painting, and weathering can give a model a whole new presence. Tell us the railroad, era, colors, and finish you have in mind so we can discuss the work.
Painting & detail work
- Custom painting and repainting
- Paint removal and touch-ups
- Color matching
- Decals and lettering
- Detail painting and weathering
- Clear coat and finishing
Preparing brass for paint
Our brass painting process uses aluminum oxide blasting, a self-etching primer, and enamel paints. DCC, sound, and lighting work can also be discussed as part of the same project.
02 / DCC, sound & lighting
More control. More character.
Bring modern features to a favorite locomotive with decoder, speaker, and lighting installations. We also troubleshoot existing DCC systems and discuss options for improving electrical pickup and performance.
Installation & upgrades
- DCC decoder installation and upgrades
- Sound and speaker installation
- LED lighting upgrades
- DCC troubleshooting
- Improved electrical pickup
From the workbench to the layout.
Explore installation and running demonstrations from Shorty’s Trains on YouTube. Use the player controls to watch with sound or expand to full screen.
Decoder installation
Installing a decoder in a brass steam engine!
Watch the decoder installation process in a brass steam locomotive.
DCC & sound demonstration
C&O switcher with tcs dcc&sound
See and hear a C&O switcher equipped with TCS DCC and sound.
03 / Repairs & improvements
Get back on track.
Whether an older model needs attention or newer equipment is not running quite right, we can discuss the problem and the repair options.
- Motor, gear, and drive repairs
- Electrical and lighting repairs
- Coupler, wheel, and truck replacement
- Performance upgrades and detail parts
- Custom modifications and kitbashing
Let’s talk about your project.
Labor: $30 per hour, plus required parts and materials.
Every model and project is different. We discuss the scope and provide an estimate whenever possible before beginning major work.
- Tell us about the model. Include the manufacturer, scale, and locomotive or model type.
- Describe what you want. Share the problem, upgrade, or paint scheme you have in mind, along with photos if available.
- Discuss the next step. We’ll review the project and talk through the work and estimate.