USA train Alco PA-1

[Marty Cozad]

David, once you take couple of these engines apart, you'll find their not that hard. next thing you know you'll be kitbashing one.

[jebouck]

I've taken several apart to install Phoenix sound systems.
Gently remove the grab bars, by placing a wide bladed screwdriver and slowly twisting it. Just remove the bottoms. (They attach to the frame) swing them up and out of the way.
Protect the horn and other details when laying the unit on its back.
The screws are very deep and very small. I use a long shanked #1 magnetised philips. The screws are not true philips, but "Chinese" philips. And they are very tight and will tend to round out. Be very careful.
Since I don't have the units here to tell you where the screws are located exactly, some may be under the trucks, or near the truck side frames. (This is true on all USA dismals) Some may be under the fuel tank. Remove this first. You just have to look and see, for sure.
Once it's apart, you can very easily install your window glass, put in another figure, DCC, etc.
Re-assenble in the reverse order.
Hope this helps a little....
jb

[bman36]

Hi David,
Congradulations on the new loco! Can't help you with the disassembly part but I can totally relate to the windows. Bought a set of passenger cars last fall and several windows were falling out. Took them ALL apart and reglued everything. Must be the chosen adhesive! I used model glue with no problems...got to be careful though. Glue on a window of that type and that's it...frosted! Fortunately no accidents. Enjoy your new power house. Later eh...Brian.

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone,

I have just received a Alco PA-1 from USA trains.
It looks awesome, but it seems that the people at USA trains were a but cheap with the glue. Two of the windows were loose because they weren't glued properly. Because all windows are glued on the inside I had quite some problems getting them out of the train and putting them back with some glue.
I did all of this with a finger through the rear door.. I removed the rubber diaphragam at the rear of the train to get better access.

This worked, but replacing the rubber diaphragam without removing the body of the train seems impossible.. I think that the only way to get it right, will be by removing the body.

Has anyone done this, or can tell me what screws I should expect to loosen?
I already looked at the bottom, there are quite some screws, but it seems that I will also need to loosen the 'steps' + the connected detailing parts..

I am a bit afraid loosining too much and having trouble getting everything assembled again.

When I succeed, I would also like to see if I can install a DCC decoder.

Thanks for any help or suggestions.

With kind regards,
David