Weathering and removing coal load

Hi All.   With Dapol wagons and permanent loads to weather the wagon the coal gets weathered too, Okay ? Just remove the coal, but, the coal is usually screwed in and removal of the screw leaves a hole in the floor. But my wagon appears to be glued together ( coal and all). My question therefore is how to unstick the glue?  All the best.  Kevin

Hi Kevin.

I have removed coal loads by running a sharp blade around the edges however this does not always work.

I find the best way is to leave the load in place but cover it with a piece of paper or card or foam, cut to fit snuggly over the top.

If the load is 'heaped' higher than the sides cling film works well.

Hope this helps, John.

Hi Kevin,

Sound like it's time for the Dremel. If you remove the top will the chassis fall off?

Nigel

Hi John. Thank you for your reply. The sharp blade part I can understand, and will try that. But I want to remove the load completely And weather the planks inside, to give me options.    Best wishes.  Kevin

Hi Nigel   Thank you for your reply.  I cannot see any screws from the outside, it only seems to be glued, if I manage to remove the load I will confirm my findings.    Best wishes. Kevin

Hi Nigel and John    I went for the blade option, I now have a coal load, a wagon body, a 3g weight and a wagon chassis . Not a screw in sight, everything was glued together. Strange thing though, there is a screw hole in the wagon body. Thank you both for your help, for the next stage, I have glued two pieces of styrene in the chassis to contain the ,yet to be purchased, the liquid Gravity , to give the wagon some weight. But I will have to block that hole in the boards as well .. best wishes. Kevin