I recently purchased quite a few (10) of these boxcars https://www.walthers.com/60-high-cube-plate-f-boxcar-ready-to-run-ttx-tbox-661204 (different roadnumbers of course) and I noticed an issue with them. They all run heavy. According to NMRA standards they are about a full ounce too heavy. I figured no biggie cut the weight inside down a little to get them to the right weight. Well there is were I am having an issue I cant see how to get them apart! I tried prying the sides apart and they don't budge. I tried taking the trucks and couplers off thinking that the screws might be holding them together. I do not see how to get into them to lighten them up. Do you guys have any suggestions or know how to disassemble them?
I don't have one of these, but perhaps the roof is a seperate piece? Did the car came with any instruction sheet?
Personally, unless I belonged to a club or other organization which had strict weight standards I think I would be inclined to leave the cars as-is until such time as they proved to be a problem.
Hello All,
Unfortunately, I don't have a solution for removing the shell(s), but...
If all the cars are consistently...
wolf10851According to NMRA standards...about a full ounce too heavy.
I wonder if your weight calculations are accurate.
The NMRA formula can be confusing. So much so I made a chart for HO weights from 8-foot to 68-foot.
According to my calculations a 60-foot HO car should tip the scales at 5.14 oz (146 g). Personally, I prefer metric weight over imperial.
Have you tried contacting Walthers about shell removal?
Many threads have debated the validity of NMRA weight standards. Too many to list here.
maxmanPersonally, unless I belonged to a club or other organization which had(S) strict weight standards I think I would be inclined to leave the cars as-is until such time as they proved to be a problem.
Which brings to mind the old adage, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
I don't own one or have a solution, but how many ways can there be to remove the shell. Either the roof comes off or the entire shell lifts off the frame. Mostly likely the entire shell comes off the frame. I would gently use my fingernail to look for movement between the shell and the frame.
Rich
Alton Junction
Walthers 50 foot hi-cubes had their roofs come off and they weren't glued in. I'd wager that they didn't stray too far for their 60 footers. They had a TT cross-section, so you could get your fingernail in the seam between the roof (which sat on top of the car side) and the side, to open them up.
so I never did figure out how to open them up :( the reason I wanted to was I noticed that the train was struggling to pull all the cars and they kept uncoupling so I figured ok lets lighten them up. Well I just got in a truck tuner and de-burred all the trucks and switched them to Kadee couplers and surprise surprise no more decoupling issues and the box cars roll a lot more freely now
ahh, gotta love the truck tuner. One of the tools in my toolbox.
First, get a hammer....
Seriously, a thin x-acto blade or chisel tip might do the trick, gently working your way around the seam
wolf10851I just got in a truck tuner and de-burred all the trucks and switched them to Kadee couplers and surprise surprise no more decoupling issues and the box cars roll a lot more freely now
That is great!
Awesome that you found a way to work it out. I'll bet that string of boxcars look great in operation.
-Kevin
Living the dream.