Has anyone tried to disassemble a Bachmann Bobber caboose? I'd like to buy a couple but I want to repaint them and disassembling would make that a lot easier.
Anyone?
Thanks,
Jeff
I did, a few years back. So dooable, if that's what you want to know.
Simon
jcopilot Has anyone tried to disassemble a Bachmann Bobber caboose? I'd like to buy a couple but I want to repaint them and disassembling would make that a lot easier. Anyone? Thanks, Jeff
O. If I can find one of my two, I will bring it along down Tuesday. B.
Oh where oh where did those Bobbers go?
Hi jcopilot. What Scale? I repainted and modified an N scale bobber and added micro train couplers and weight. Only four parts (except for wheels) to dissasemble. The body lifts off the frame, the cupola can be removed as can the smokejack. Used 90% alcohol to strip. Add even more weight than you think when reassembling if you are uncupoling by hand.
I'm not jcopilot here, but they would be the Bachmann HO scale ones.
We looked at the Bachmann Bobber caboose and the Mantua Bobber.
Looks like the Mantua has the vote for the time being.
Back to the O-Post, the Bachmann's body sides will pull away from the frame (two catchs on each side of the body, yellow arrows).
Start on the tool box side of the frame, (with the tool box, it is the stronger side of the frame) spread/pull the body outwards and off it will come from the frame.
OR
Just hold the frame with one hand and the body with the other hand and pull the body straight up from the frame and its done.
The quickly noticeable differences.
The Bachmann Bobber: Cast on body grab bars (sides and ends), cast on lights, three dimensional tool box, no roof grab bars or end ladders, heavy metal wire for the end safty bars and brake handle/shaft, axle ends go into the plastic frame, easy to seperate the body from the frame. Weighs in at 1.7 oz. out of the box.
The Mantua Bobber: Cast on body grab bars (side and ends), cast on lights, just a door for the tool box, cast on roof grab bars, has metal end ladders, light wire for the end safty bars and brake shaft with a round brake wheel, axle ends go into a sheet metal frame, the body looks like it is attached to the frame by four metal push ''pins". Weight unknown at this time.
I once ran one on our club layout behind a short local. It kept derailing going over switches and corners. I had to run the train at 5-7mph to avoid it derailing. It's very lightweight compared to a regular cupola caboose.
ATSFGuy I once ran one on our club layout behind a short local. It kept derailing going over switches and corners. I had to run the train at 5-7mph to avoid it derailing. It's very lightweight compared to a regular cupola caboose.
I should have put in that the Bachmann Bobber weighs 1.7 oz. out of the box.
I haven't had an issue with mine - it is the one that came with metal wheelsets but plastic couplers. That said, it never sees service on trains longer than 3 or 4 cars, as it pretty much is only used with logging trains. And the Heisler it is usually paired with doesn't go that fast anyways!
When I need more in future, I plan on starting with the bachmann one and then going with intermountain wheelsets and kadee couplers - some extra interior weight should put it just over the limit.
Speaking of Bobber cabooses, I got one as part of a box of stuff when a train show was closing down for cheap from someone who wanted to finish their table - I think it was in OO scale and had European style couplers, but had the same exact details as the Bachmann one besides. It is a very odd thing, I am not sure where it ended up though.
I looked at mine, and the body is easily removed from the frame, similarly to the old Athearn BB cars. But I suspect that there were several runs of these, and disasssembly may vary from one run to another.
Mine holds well on track... But it would be easy to add weight inside the body if that's a problem.
I'll pass on your info to the club president. The caboose belonged to him.