Inspiration and Prototype Research
$20 Thrift Store Train Find – FEC SW1200 Rebuild Begins
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$20 Thrift Store Train Find – FEC SW1200 Rebuild Begins
Picked up a $20 Florida East Coast SW1200 switcher at a local thrift shop and couldn’t pass it up. In this post, I kick off the rebuild project by sharing why I buy used locomotives, what to look for when scouting secondhand models, and my plan to bring this one back to life with DCC, LEDs, and custom upgrades.
There’s something about wandering through a thrift store or flea market that always sparks curiosity. You never know what you’ll come across — and sometimes, you get lucky. That’s exactly what happened recently when I found a used HO scale locomotive for just $20. And not just any loco — a Florida East Coast SW1200 switcher.
Now, if you’ve been in the hobby for a while, you know brand-new locomotives can run anywhere from $200 to $300 (or more). And while I’m not saying that’s an unreasonable price for a high-quality engine, it’s more than I usually want to spend — especially when I enjoy the process of bringing older ones back to life.
That’s why I’m kicking off a new series here at Leaping Cat Model Works: rebuilding this FEC switcher from the ground up.
Why Buy Used Model Trains?
Buying used is always a bit of a gamble, but there are also real opportunities — especially if you’re comfortable with a bit of repair work. This engine didn’t come with a box or any accessories. Just the engine, as-is. But the price was right.
It’s a Lifelike Proto 2000 model. And for $20? That’s hard to beat.
The body was in good shape — no major dust, no bad scuffs, and the paint looked clean. The grab irons were a bit busted, and it had the old-style horn couplers, but that’s nothing I can’t fix.
Mechanically, I wasn’t even sure if it would run, but I figured I’d test that later. I saw some minor wear on the wheels, but nothing too serious. Overall, it gave me a solid foundation to start from.
The Plan for the Rebuild
Here’s what I’m planning to do with this FEC switcher:
- Tear it down and inspect everything
- Add a DCC decoder
- Replace the incandescent lighting with LEDs
- Swap out the horn couplers for Kadee-style metal ones
- Repair the broken grab irons
- Install a 3D-printed roller bearing truck set
- Give it a good cleaning and proper lubrication
I’m keeping the original Florida East Coast lettering and colors — I like the look, and it fits well with my freelance layout. Since I’m based in eastern North Carolina, I might write it into the layout’s backstory as a loaner unit doing some switching work in Beaufort. That’s part of the fun — tying real-world elements into the creative world I’m building.
What’s Next
This is just the start. In the next post, I’ll start the teardown and prep work for the decoder install. There’s something rewarding about taking a worn, forgotten engine and making it run like new again — especially when it’s done with a bit of personality and a lot of heart.
If you enjoy this kind of project, be sure to subscribe to the newsletter so you don’t miss any updates. I’ve got more rebuilds, lighting projects, and layout stories coming soon.
And if you’ve ever scored a great deal on a secondhand locomotive, I’d love to hear about it.
Until next time — thanks for stopping by.