every time I need to remove bodywork, it is so fiddly

Hi All   Not exactly new:oops: , but, I need the " Small Piece Of Plastic"  that is designed to unclip model Carriage/ Loco Body Work, from the chassis. But I don't know what to ask for:???:, or even do the job without a lot of fuss?? to give me access to the lights. Would some kind soul out please tell me what this gadget is called??                     all the best  Kevin

Hi Kevin,

What are you trying to take apart?

Nigel

Hi Nigel                 Some new Plastic Bodies of Carriages have to be unclipped, no screws, and if one isn't careful the bodywork gets ruined.I have a plentiful supply of screwdrivers. There is a Wedged Shape piece of plastic used to "pop open" the clips without damage, But unless the shop assistant knows what I mean, it is hard to explain.                        Kevin

Hi Kevin,

A quick Google search came up with this:

For Hornby:

http://www.hornby.com/uk-en/forum/how-to-remove-body-from-r4568-coach/?p=1/

For Bachmann:

http://www.modelrailforum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=15347

Hope this helps, if not, try a more specific search for your particular make and model.

Good luck,

Bill :)

Hi Bill                    Thank you for your reply, I was putting all manner of phrases together, trying to find something on Google without luck, I have some odd pieces of Styrene, I will see what I can do.                      all the best  Kevin

Hi Kevin,

Without the exact model it's difficult to give specifics.

If it's held on with lugs on the bottom then pressing them in and down with small smooth faced pliers is usually is enough. The pliers enable both to be done at the same time. I suspect that is what the plastic tool is for. You may find removing the bogies gives more space in which to work.

If it's held on with internal lugs at the sides (Bachmanns) I use a 1" or 2" plastering knife and toothpicks. Helps to have the carriage in some sort of holder. Cardboard box and kitchen towel works. Start on one side at the end and work your way along. When all the lugs are disengaged pull it up. Once one side is loose the other should pop out. Watch out for buffer shanks, you my have to take the buffers off. If you are unlucky there will be glue as well as lugs holding the body to the bottom. 

Nigel

Hi Kevin,

Misread your post. I don't think there is a plastic tool. Wedges (whatever comes to hand, styrene, cardboard, old credit cards), toothpicks and fingernails. Most are meant to be put together, not taken apart. Hence the glue at the ends. Which begs the question - how are we supposed to put passengers and lighting in?

The sides are actually quite forgiving, the worst that can happen is that a lug (or 2) breaks off.

Get a second-hand one to practice on before you start on the new ones.

Nigel

Hi Nigel               It is not so much lugs, but, but where you have to lever the bodywork to release the chassis. And as for Model details, as yet the coaches are still on Pre Order, and I wanted to "Be Prepared" and have the tools , and experience before they arrived. Second hand coaches to practice on might be the answer, but , some second hand coaches, aren't much cheaper especially on that famous on line auction site??                          all the bes Kevin

Hi Kevin,

Any model train shows coming up?

Hattons has some used Replica coaches at £10.00 + delivery (same body as the Bachmanns), and some Bachmanns at £17-£25, which is about half the cost of a new one. If you want lit ones try some of the Bachmann Pullmans.

Replica Railways in Swindon has assembled coaches for £10.00. Check with them to see whether they use the same system as Bachmann. I got some Collett crimson and cream body shells from them and they fitted the Bachmann Collett chassis exactly (same body tooling in fact). I believe many of the older Bachmann coaches are in fact from the Replica tooling.

I always start in the middle, and work to one end then the other. The ends are where you find glue. I have some in store, I'll get one out and take the body off and post the pictures.

Nigel

Hi Kevin , might be worth picking up one of these kits ? this one is from hongkong but you can find some available from the uk as well  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/17in1-Repair-Opening-Tool-Metal-Spudger-Pry-Screwdrivers-Fr-Cellphone-Tablet-New/231667414479?_trksid=p2141725.c100338.m3726&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20141212152715%26meid%3D96c594882b464d68b2ba855ec87970f9%26pid%3D100338%26rk%3D17%26rkt%3D28%26sd%3D131093227202

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/17-in-1-Screen-Repair-Open-Metal-Spudger-Screwdrivers-Tool-Kit-For-Mobile-Phone/351447247794?_trksid=p2141725.c100338.m3726&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20141212152715%26meid%3D9741faf8eaf543ed8f540a6de15e530f%26pid%3D100338%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D28%26sd%3D131093227202

This one is Uk but there are plenty of others out there

Nice kit, 2 of these (for those metal flat-bladed separators) would come in very useful.

Nigel

Hi Matt                    Thank you, that looks just the ticket, I will send for a set today.          all the best Kevin

Hi Nigel            When you say "Replica" is that because they are copies ?? I have purchased both Hornby and Bachmann products from Hattons, even the "Pre Owned" carriages were dearer than your quote. I will have a look into that thank you for the "heads up".                                         all the best  Kevin

Here is a link to Hatton's 'Pre-owned' : https://www.ehattons.com/stocklist/preowned.aspx

Scroll down slowly and listed just below the diesels and DMUs, you'll find BR blue coaches, maroon LMS coaches, chocolate and cream GWR coaches, etc, etc. These range from £9.00 - £15.00 each.

'Replica' - is a manufacturers name, like Hornby, Bachmann. You can still find plenty of Replica models on that auction site.

Cheers, Gary.

Hi Gary                   Thank you, I will investigate that, I have got a phone number for replica, but the items I require are "Unavailable", on their website:sad:. but if some other modellers have made an enquiries ?? they might produce them;-). all the best  Kevin

[user=1801]Passed Driver[/user] wrote:

Hi Gary                   Thank you, I will investigate that, I have got a phone number for replica, but the items I require are "Unavailable", on their website:sad:. but if some other modellers have made an enquiries ?? they might produce them;-). all the best  Kevin

Kevin, still give them, Replica a ring as websites are not always accurate.

Also Google the item and see what comes up.

Hi Kevin,

Check the Replica Railways website for the history of the company, and you'll see why the bodies fit the Bachmann chassis - http://www.replicarailways.co.uk/information/company-history

They attend most big railway shows in the UK, excellent source of bodies, bogies, interiors, etc. for those of us who like to modify or kit-bash. You normally have to fight your way through to their stand, customers 4 and 5 deep. Painted but no numbers, and they do rub-down transfers so you get the number you want. I've had excellent mail order service from them over the years.

Their carriage bodies are an exact replica of those produced by Bachmann (not surprsing, same tooling), and I've used them to swap the body on Bachmann Collett coaches, which are attached  by lugs. Even their full "kits" at £25 or so are a bargain compared to a £50 Bachmann, all they need are decent metal wheels.

If you're looking for a £5 bargain, it'll be a swap meet or one of the junk trays at a show. If your looking for something that fits your modeling scene (SR transition?) then you will be paying a lot more - the scarcity factor. £15-£25 is cheap for a good used coach, these days new ones are £50-£60.

Getting bodies off can result in broken lugs, especially in old models. I've had a fair number break off when working on the old Centenary coaches, but tack welding with plastic glue (3 spots each side) is enough to get them back on (and easy to remove if required).

They do limited runs, hence the 'Not Available", but give them a call, if they get enough interest they will produce them. I see they have a BR Mk 1 Suburban "kit" for £25 in SR green, that would give you a good idea of how to assemble (and disassemble) a railway coach, and you could probably use it afterwards. Check the "Spares" list on the website - http://www.replicarailways.co.uk/spares-and-accessories/spares - for some SR items.


Nigel

Hi Nigel              Thank you, and Sol, I  phoned them this morning we had a nice chat, I said that I heard about the company on line via Canada and Australia. I put the web site question about" Not Available" to them and was told they have some of the accessories in stock, and I was told about the "Long Cab" and the "Short Cab" and the reasons for needing two different cabs, all very informative. But it would be best if I "Down Loaded and Printed the information" and then phone back with my requirements. all the best  Kevin

Hi Ron                 I took your advice, and gave Replica Railways a call, we had a nice chat and I asked about the not "Available items" on their website, they told me about "Long Cabs" and "Short Cabs" and all the fittings and "Body Shells" etc. etc., it was suggested that I download and print their information sheets, which I did, and phone back to check stock levels before I placed my order.                                             all the best  Kevin