im completley baffeled about how (and in what order) to get the shell off of my atlas HO dash8-40b. i just want to be shure i can get it off for when i eventually switch to DCC.
Thanks
GEARHEAD426
[8]
It’s pretty simple.[:D] A little time consuming, but simple.
The first thing I do is remove the coupler boxes.
The next thing I do is remove the air tanks and fuel tank. The fuel tank is two halves that can be pulled off pretty easily.
Next, disconnect the truck chain from the shell. I do it by slightly opening the hook with a small flat-blade screwdriver. Then I lift the link out with needle-nose pliers.
Then, while pulling up on the shell, I unlatch the six latches under the trucks and in the fuel tank area with a small flat-blade. When the latches are undone, the shell will slip right off.[:D]
When you put the shell back on, put the chain back where it was and tighten the hook with needle-nose pliers. Then put the fuel tank and air tanks back on. Then put the coupler boxes on. Then run it.[:D]
I have a bunch of these. They’re a pain to take apart, so I wouldn’t do it until you’re actually ready to install a DCC decoder. The same process applies to the B32-8WH, B40-8 and B40-8W.
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Pull the two halves of the fuel tank to the sides and take them off the locomotive. Set them aside.
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Carefully remove the brake cylinder with the chain on it from the truck sideframe. Usually they pull right out, but be careful not to break the chain. I try to throw the dangling cylinder up onto the walkway to keep it out of the way. If you have to you can pry the brake cylinder out with a small jewlers screwdriver.
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Remove the couplers and coupler boxes. I usually take the opportunity to ditch the stock plastic couplers in favor of Kadees.
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There are three sets of tabs that hold the body on to the frame. One set is in the fuel tank area, the other two are above the trucks. I usually work from one end with a small flat-bladed screwdriver and work them loose in succession. The ones above the trucks can be hard to see, but they’re there.
Once the tabs are disengaged the shell should come off. If you’re very careful you can do this without breaking anything. Re-assembly is the reverse of disassebly, though it is probably easier to put the shell on the frame than take it off.
I have several of these sitting in my layout room with the shells off awaiting decoders. I am not going to put them back together until I’m sure I won’t have to open them up again.
Heh… looks like Darth and I had the same idea at the same time.
thanks. ive saved both of these instructions onto my computers desktop file"Railroad Stuff"
when i get it apart for DCC(around christmas time hopefully) expect another irrated and confused question from me about installing decoders.
also, where would a good place to mount a speaker be, and where to make sound holes? im thinking drill out the bottom of the exaust stack, and set the speaker up so its directly under it. (most are black i guess, so you wouldnt see it.) most ive seen are very conspicous holes in the top of the radaitors.
GEARHEAD426
[8]
unscrew the coupler boxes, unhook the chain and pull the shell off.
There must be GOLD in them thar shells!
Seems like they’re a pain in the caboose to take apart.