I am trying to remove the cab and the boiler from my new Spectrum 4-4-0 for detail modification and painting. The removal of the cab is easy but, I am stuck on stupid with regard to the Boiler. It is not clear from the parts sheet which screws hold the boiler to the frame. Neither the stack screw from the top or the cylinder screw from the bottom seem to perform this function at the front end of the boiler and there are no apparent screws in the rear that hold the boiler to the frame. Before I start removing the drivers and the motor from the bottom up in an attempt to find the correct screws, can anyone help? All screws are identified by part number on the the parts sheet but the usual dotted line path from the screws to the appropriate threaded hole is not provided. I am hoping that the entire frame and motor does not have to be taken apart to remove the boiler ?
There have been no forum reports on this engine. How does it run? Can you let us know your initial impressions and possible problems with use of this engine?
Nearly all other Bachmann Spectrum steam engines have two tabs at the back of the cab and a screw under the front truck at the cylinders which holds the boiler to the frame. Remove that screw, lift the front of the boiler up, and work the back of the cab loose from the frame.
My GS-4’s are the same way. Front screw is hard to see till you move front truck to left or right. If you look at the parts sheet that came with the 4-8-0 you will see the screws listed.
Thanks all for your input. I have been able to remove the boiler. Believe it or not, I intend to throw it away along with all it’s great detail and replace it with a straight boiler and reverse the domes to match the prototype 4-4-0 I need to model. ( C & NE’s odd looking 4-4-0 No. 1; Signor’s “SP Shasta Division”, page 162 ).
The reason I purchased the Spectrum for this modification is because of it’s reputation for smooth running which proved to be true with and without the Spectrum boiler attached. I would show you the results when I am finished but, here again I am stuck on stupid and continue to doubt my ability to post photos to this forum.
I have had the engine with wood cab, undecorated, for a couple months and the biggest downside is lack of sound. I removed the stock decoder and installed a SoundTraxx DSD-100LC steam decoder, plus a one inch speaker. The tender trucks only pickup on one track. One truck the right rail and the other truck the left rail. I removed the chains that connect to the tender frame and trucks. The four drivers pickup on both sides. As insurance I modified my tender trucks to pickup on both rails. I also removed the stock headlight and installed a box type headlight. This is a beautiful engine. It comes with a crew. If you shop around, you can get the basic DCC engine for about $152. Tony’s Trains carries the basic DCC engine, one with low cost sound and one with premium sound.
My Roundhouse 4-4-0 with DCC/sound has factory installed pickups for both rails for each truck on the tender. Only the two rear drivers pickup on the Roundhouse. The two front drivers have traction tires. I installed a crew in this engine. The engine does not look quite as good as the Spectrum but I like it.