Need tips on shell removal for bachmann doodlebug

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Got one of these real cheap at a local show. Ran it for a few minutes and the blue led burned out. This prompted me to do a tear down, detail, and paint as well as fix the light. But i can not for the life of me figure out how it seperates. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks Mike

2

Hello RS2Mike,

I checked my doodlebug and HOSeeker.com. It looks like the shell comes off by prying with a very small screw driver. I started at the rear holding the rear steps and slowly worked my way forward on both sides. I got about 2/3rds of the way to the front where the tabs were quite tight so I stopped there.

Check this link for a complete diagram that shows where the mounting clips are located.

http://hoseeker.com/assemblyexplosionbachmann/bachmanemcgaselectricdoodlebugpg2.jpg

Good Luck

John R

3

Thanks, i started at the front and i guess mine is tight as well. I have the directions for it and was wondering if i missed something or if there was a trick to it. I will try again. Wish me lucknthat i don’t crack the shell. This will get dcc in it as well. Mike

4

Everyone store the link in Favorites.

http://www.2guyzandsumtrains.com/Content/pa=showpage/pid=20.html

Not sure if the below is still an issue. It was some years ago.

http://home.roadrunner.com/~mrwithdcc/doodleb.html

Rich

5

Rich …

Thanks for posting the links.

I was working on my doodlebug yesterday before reading this thread. This is the second time I removed the shell from the doodlebug, and it was a struggle each time, and the idea of using toothpicks to hold the sides apart while working from the rear would have helped.

The discussion about the DCC plug in the doodlebug will be helpful putting in DCC.

Another problem … My model has a broken gear in one of the axles. … It’s a tedious chore disassmbling the power truck. Compounding the problem: the Bachmann website does not offer the geared wheelsets. Thye do list a complete pwer truck, and they are out of stock. i’ll be calling Bachmann customer service when I get a chance. … I did use super glue to fix the gear, and the doodlebug runs (not smoothly).