Disassemble old Rivarossi Vandy Tender?

[Maletrain]

I bought an old Rivarossi/Concor Vnaderbilt tender (#20113) because it is the correct length and diameter to make a tender for a B&O S-1a 2-10-2.  But, I can't figure how to get it apart.  The trucks and draw bar come off with screws, but getting the body apart seems to be a problem.  I think it is glued, but I can't tell exactly where the parting lines are.  Any suggestions?

[Maletrain]

Well, dang!  This is up to 110 "views" with no responses, much less any good suggestions.  Looks like this project is going to be a "bash" in the truest sense of the word.  Going on the back burner until some sort of idea strikes me.  Currently thinking of getting inside by destroying the "coal load", which I intend to replace anyway when I add B&O coal boards.  But, I still will need to get the front end off the shell.

[OldEastRR]

Didn't know RR made a vandy tender -- what's it look like?

[CNR5529]

If I remember correctly, the coal load and front wall come off from the front of the tender and the back domed wall comes off the rear. The rest of the tender is hollow tube construction. I believe Tichi/DIMI once sold that tender as a kit as well. Pretty sure I have one somewhere, I'll check tonight.

[Maletrain]

Didn't know RR made a vandy tender -- what's it look like?

It looks like this:

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/i/113696541782-0-1/s-l140/p.jpg

About right proportions for an S-1a tender.  Of course, it needs work to run and look decent with a decoder, speaker, all-wheel pick-up, raised coal boards, thinner rails and grabs, working back-up light, etc.

[thomasjmdavis]

If I remember correctly, the coal load and front wall come off from the front of the tender and the back domed wall comes off the rear. The rest of the tender is hollow tube construction. I believe Tichi/DIMI once sold that tender as a kit as well. Pretty sure I have one somewhere, I'll check tonight.

Taking a look at an old Tichy that I have in my "junk box" (errr....precious and irreplaceable parts collection), it appears this is correct, on both counts.  The coal load and front wall come off (if glued together, maybe not) and the back dome will come off, but I don't see how to do that without taking off the other parts- it needs to be pushed out from the inside- I don't see how to pry it off without damaging the plastic at the seam.

The "Tichy" tender has "RR Rivarossi made in Italy" stamped on the bottom.  The "kit" as I received it (in a box of parts bought from another modeler- no complaints, I got lots of cool stuff) has 2 coal loads, but no tender front.  Go figure.

Also have a Bachmann tender that apparently comes apart the same way- I know this from having 2- one of them all in one piece and one that is just a tube- so even though I can see where it comes apart, I don't see how to do it without some damage to visible areas.

[mmagliaro]

I was wondering if the RR Vandy tender was the same as the Dimi kit one.  I thought they might be, but I was not sure since I don't have either one and have only seen them at swap meets.  Since it seems they are,
how does the kit one go together?  If you have to glue it (there's not snap mechanism), then it's a good bet that the Rivarossi one is glued and you will have to carefully cut through glue seams with a sharp Xacto and then fix up any damage or deformity you cause.

[thomasjmdavis]

I think your right - Dimi Trains (not Tichy like I said).  But marketing aside, the coal load slides in and out- tabs on the edges of the coal load fit into slots in the tender sides.  I would speculate that perhaps there was another part that could slide in there for oil tenders.  I will hunt around and see if I can find the "front" of the tender (if I ever had that).  The back end of the tank on mine is either glued or cast in, or the clips (if any) hold so well, I don't think I can get it loose without busting it.