Bachmann Spectrum USRA 4-8-2 light Mountain

[Maletrain]

That darn weight that fits up into the sand dome and down into the notch in the boiler weight seems to be a large amount of the problem with removing the shell.  Why not cut that weight in two, with the upper part stuck into the sand dome, and the lower part resting in the notch in the boiler weight?  That way, shell removal and replacement in the future would be easier.  Or, am I missing something?  I have 2 that I have to get around to "doing" for various reasons (like turning one into a B&O T-3).

[nickelplate759]

I went one better - the factory weight is discarded. I put some sheet lead (yes lead) in the dome, and some on top of the the decoder.  2 separate pieces, just like you said.  I've no idea why Bachmann made it all one piece.

[nickelplate759]

Yikes - the notes on how hard it is to get the shell back on aren't kidding!  I'm stumped.  Any pointers?

<edit>
Got it.  Have to loosen the screw that holds the cylinders in place.
It's now all together (and I did shim the traction driver), and happily pulling an 8 car New Haven passenger train around the layout.
SHEESH this thing is  a bear to work on!
</edit>

[peteski]

Yikes - the notes on how hard it is to get the shell back on aren't kidding!  I'm stumped.  Any pointers?

<edit>
Got it.  Have to loosen the screw that holds the cylinders in place.
It's now all together (and I did shim the traction driver), and happily pulling an 8 car New Haven passenger train around the layout.
SHEESH this thing is  a bear to work on!
</edit>

LOL!  You should try to replace the headlight in the Athearn Big-Boy!  I had to take most of the loco apart for that (including breaking some glue joints). Big-Boy is not designed to ever be disassembled!

But I'm glad you put Humpty Dumpty back together. 

[nickelplate759]

Coda - the updated 4-8-2 can just manage a 16 car passenger train around a more-or-less level layout with 16" minimum radius.     Given the size of my layout, that's about 8 more cars than looks reasonable.