I have an R F & P passenger train of Rivarossi cars. I want to install interiors and lighting. I can’t figure out exactly how to get into the interior. I hate to just start prying without knowing what I am doing (my usual method) for fear that I will permanently destroy tabs, etc., and never get them back together again. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
I assume Rivarossi has not changed the method since the car came out in the late 60’s. You will find six tabs located next to the car sides when the car is upside down with three on each side. The roof and windows are one piece and lock in place with those tabs. While holding the car upside down in one hand you gently hold the car side with two fingers while using the remaining fingers to exert some lift on the roof away from the car side as you pry the tabs toward the center of the car. If you start at the end with the two tabs only you should easily be able to separate those two tabs from the car body. Some slight pressure on the tab with the screw driver after it is pressed toward the center will help free the roof. Then do the middle two and finally the two at the other end and slide the windows and roof off the car. Just push it back in place when reinstalling it until the tabs snap in. If installing an interior remeber to allow for the thickness of the window as it is quite thick.
Thanks very much. I saw those tabs and assumed they were the key, but couldn’t see a way to push all six of them at the same time.
Waterline,
I know what you mean about trying to pry all 6 tabs at the same time. What I do is push toothpicks into each slot where the tabs are to get the tabs to move inward. I use the flat toothpicks. Once I have all 6 toothpicks in place, the roof pulls off easily.
Hope this helps.
Mondo
After removing the roof I usually cut off the tabs, it stays in place very nicely without the tab locks, and it makes it much easier to remove again later.
Installing interiors is easy - once you get the roof and clear sections off.
Painting the interiors seats & tables takes more work. Seats have white head doilies, plus dining tables all have tablecloths. {Seats can be green".
Installing figures gets expensive.
Upgrades: After istalling NMRA weight, IHC passenger trucks, KD 36 couplers, and ‘window shades’, do the above.
IIRC, they all open the same except the dome cars, which have a tab in the end door windows, and that the floor and window band come out the bottom, and the roof is attached to the sides.
Not necessarily. I bought a pack of 100 seated Preiser figures for about $20. Granted, they’re unpainted, but for that price, I can’t complain 