How is the shell removed from an HO KATO AC4400

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I purchased an HO KATO AC4400 and I wanted to remove the shell to add grab irons and other details. How do you remove the shell. I tried to follow the insturctions but it was no go.

Any insight/help would be appreciated.

2

If the the AC44CW is the same as their SD45 model just squeeze the long hood and pull! I was worried I was going to damage my model as you probably are. It worked it just takes a little more muscle than I was comfortable with. In the end I did no damage just follow those instructions!

3

I always figured if I couldn’t open the hood, then maybe I should leave it be! acj.

4

POSSIBLE MISTAKE:

There are the two motor connectors at the side of the motor, possible that they block the way for the walkway - when you remove first only the hood/cab, the remove of the walkway is then easy

AND DONT FORGET: REMOVE THE COUPLERBOXES FIRST !!!

5

Bigboy–I don’t think you have to remove the coupler boxes on a Kato AC4400(like you do on an Athearn RTR AC4400). The trick with the Kato AC 4400 is getting the shell back on. The problem is the wires used to power the lamps tend to slip out of their holders and get in the way of the shell. Carefully tuck them into their proper places before reattaching the shell.

6

Hi JimdeBree,
I have four Kato AC4400 (3UP and 1 BNSF) and for installing the add parts I remove the hoods inclusive the walkways. The walkways are secured with the hood and with the couplerboxes.

I wrote this about the power connection stripes because I have exact this problem with all of my AC4400 KATO. The stripe swing out and block the walkway

Your right with the wires between truck and the circuit - the LED´s have no wire!. But this problem came when you will replace the hood [:)][:)]

7

OH!?!??

8

It didn’t work!!!

9

I have taken apart numerous Katos for painting, and find the easiest method is to remove the couplers then gently rock the shell side to side while gently pulling up, and it should slip off the frame fairly easily. If you leave the couplers in place, shell removal will be more difficult as you will need to disengage the hood from the walkways, because the walkways are secured to the frame by the coupler boxes.

10

BigBoy–I’ll have to try your method of removing the shell. After the railing and grabirons are installed, it seems like your method is a lot easier! Thanks for the tip!