Lionel 1028 transformer

[arkady]

I have recently acquired a Lionel 1028 25-watt transformer, whose cord is deteriorated badly.  Not that I intend to use it much, but I do like everything in my collection to be in working order.

My problem is that I can't see how to disassemble this transformer to replace the cord.  There are detents on either side of the top plate, indicating that it can be pried off, but in order to do that, I'd have to remove the control lever, which seems to be made of fragile bakelite.  I have no idea how to remove it without breaking it.

I tried Olsen Toys, but all I came up with is this page, which has no disassembly information and doesn't even show the transformer itself:

http://pictures.olsenstoy.com//searchcd31.htm?itm=1030

Can anyone tell me how to take this transformer apart without damaging anything?  Thanks in advance.

 

[arkady]

Never mind, I figured it out myself.  Contrary to what you might think, the handle does not come off separately from the upper sheet metal -- they are a unit.  Using the blade of a small screwdriver (well padded with cardboard to avoid damaging the black paint of the sheet-metal housing), I pried the upper metal section free from the detents in the lower half.  Once I got it far enough, the upper part and handle popped off easily. 

If anyone else has one of these things, be warned: do not try to pry the handle loose, as it is meant to be part of the upper housing, and is non-removable.

Once the case is open, the transformer windings and associated solder lugs are completely exposed.  I'll head out to the hardware store tomorrow morning to pick up some new power cord.

In case anyone's wondering, the 1028 is the transformer that came with my mother's #1700Lionel  streamliner.