I just picked up the new release of the Kato C44-9W and before my brick hands get to work I can’t figure out how to remove the shell. This is the model where the handrails, etc are already installed. I removed the coupler boxes and gave the shell a light tug but to no avail. If looks like for the speaker install, I have to press both sides of the tank with a flathead to separate it.
I’m trying to install the Digitrax DCC board with sound specificly made for the Kato AC4400.
I just picked up mine from my LHS and added a motor decoder. Remove the couplers and put gentle but firm pressure on the long hood. I carefully rocked it forward and back and side to side and the shell and walkways came off together. There may be a little paint somewhere that is holding it tight. I too was afraid I’d break something but not this time. Just keep working at it and it’ll come loose. I think you might be able to see where the locking tabs are located on the instruction sheet. Try to squeeze and pull on the hood in those locations.
After the decoder was in place, the shell popped back on tight with just a little pressure.
There must be more than one version of this loco, because I do not need to remove the couplers to open it up. The shell on mine pulls off above the walkway. The biggest problem I encountered was removing the speaker cover and finding a way to route the speaker wires so the shell would go back on without pinching them. I had to remove the couplers and walkway to install the speaker, but not to simply remove the shell for a motor decoder.
With the new run youit looks like you can separate the engine shell from the walkway or keep in intact when you remove it from the body.
BTW, I installed the Digitrax sound decoder with speaker specificly made for the Kato AC4400 and it went in like a charm and sounds good. You may recall we were chatting about thin in another post.