Removing bodyshell

Hi All.  Of course I have read I expert’s way to do it, four strips of old credit card under the gap begin at the back. Working your way forward, it began okay on the first side, but no joy on the second side. I prefer undoing screws.Any useful advice would be appreciated. Best wishes Kevin

I do suggest you look at the diagram in section 2 of the instruction leaflet as the 2HAL is not the same as the Bachmann 2EPB. One piece of credit card in the centre of each side, then with a small screwdriver prise back the 4 lugs at each corner.

Hi Robert.  Thank you for your reply. My first port of call was the excellent advice from BromsMods which suggested four strips of credit cards at the corners, and knowing myself as an awkward old bludger I didn’t want to damage the bodyshell, and after a lot of Faffing about I made a start. I will have another go after breakfast, and while the top is off I had better think of passengers.  Best wishes Kevin

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

My first port of call was the excellent advice from BromsMods which suggested four strips of credit cards at the corners

If you do that you will break off the plastic lugs which are holding the body in place.

Thank you Robert, I said that I am an awkward bludger, but I probably didn’t understand what you meant, I assumed that with no give in the “metal” of the screwdriver that was more likely to cause the damage to chinese plastic. Best wishes Kevin

Hi Robert.  Thank you again, I forgot to mention that I didn’t get a Hornby leaflet with either the 2HAL or the 2BIL, which is why I followed YMRC member BromsMods.  Best wishes Kevin

As you don't have the leaflet here's the 2BIL file. Body removal is the same for 2HAL. 

Hopefully Kevin RFS has sorted you out :thumbs  Bromsmods instructions are a great help to many and we appreciate he keeps them up for people to find and use. BUT you do have to find the right instructions for the model you are working on ! 

Hi Matt.  Thank you for your reply. But neither of the models came with instructions, and it was so long ago that I purchased them, I recently had a model shop send me a sheet of instructions, but, removal of the bodyshell wasn’t included. Best wishes Kevin

Hi Robert.  Thank you for your reply. If I ever purchase another Hornby Loco, I shall have to ensure that there is a leaflet, but, at the time 2 BILs and 2HALs were selling like hot cakes. I’m sorry that I doubted you, those lugs break off so easily.  Best wishes Kevin

Hi Robert.  As suspected with my usual finesse/ heavy handedness, I took up a small screwdriver and pressed ahead. Whamo, the first of the plastic tabs was taken care of. I shall have to learn to be gentle. One end of the chassis has been released ( never to be refitted? Unless with a screw? ) . Best wishes Kevin 

Because the metal chassis is fairly rigid, as long as you haven't damaged any of the other clips along the sides, you should find the body stays firmly where it should when you reassemble it, Kevin.

Fingers crossed, as yet I only have got one end off, while it is “open “ I am looking for some suitable figures to populate it with.  Best wishes Kevin 

The two centre clips should hold the body in place.  I have one or two units which have lost a corner lug but the body is still firmly fitted. 

Thank you for your reply Robert, I guessed that it would happen and I was being extra careful. Best wishes Kevin