Roofs and Covers - I should know this but don't

rdg_fan posted:

Also for Prewar Ives O 135 series passenger cars, how do I get the roofs off?

Many, Many Thanks!

Use a smooth flat tapered plastic tool.  Like a small stiff spatula.  An automotive plastic trim tool might work too.  I use the handle end of a plastic handled medical scalpel.

Start at one corner and gently work your way down under the lip of the roof, along the edge of the car body.

Put a towel down, cuz the roof will "pop" off , sometimes with momentum.  You don't want it to land and scratch the paint.

To put it back on, start one side and gently work it back on.  You will most certainly lose a few tiny chips of paint when putting it back on.  Not really any way to avoid this, but they are usually under the lip and cannot be seen when the car is together.

I'm a little confused by the first part of the question. The common tender for the 260 and 263 is the Vanderbilt tender, which is an oil tender, no coal load. The 262 tender has a coal load, which is loose in the tender. It kind of snaps in if I recall. I believe all of the tender shells for these are attached with screws. The MTH tenders are replicas of the Lionel Vanderbilt tender and should be interchangeable with Lionel. My MTH 260 tender has a tether, which I believe is used for the automatic coupler.

George

Thanks Ives1122 (Love that engine, I always struggle not buy another) and George! Much appreciation for your replies. Just to clarify for George's question: Yes, I was checking if the Steam Engine Engineer's Cab Roof (on a 260/263) and oil tender smooth tank roof (263W/T) just slide off or is there some internal screw or tab that holds them in place. If they slide off, is there some trick, like using a plastic tool or squeezing in the right place to get them to release without scratching paint. Thanks Again!

I found a good picture of the 263T online, and I am almost certain there is a tab or two on each side of the roof. There is no easy trick with these things. You need to be very careful not to scratch the paint. Reassembly presents the biggest danger. I think the best way to get the roof off is to remove the shell from the base with the four screws in the corners. Then disassemble the shell to get at the tabs inside. Gently bend the tabs to allow removal of the roof. Take pictures along the way so you can remember the steps to reassemble it. 

I don't have access to my 260 right now. I think the roof may be part of the sides of the cab. The cab will be attached to the rest of the shell with tabs. Disassembly almost always requires removing the motor from the frame to access the tabs on the inside of the shell. You may also need to remove some weights that are screwed into the cab.

George 

Thanks George! You confirmed what I feared.

rdg_fan posted:

Thanks George! You confirmed what I feared.

What are you trying to accomplish with removing the roofs? Are you thinking about painting them?

If it is a newer MTH engine, the paint is very hard. It does not scratch easy. Also, I have found that you can paint over MTH paint without stripping. If it is a gloss finish, you may need to sand it a little to dull the finish. It's always a bit of a risky endeavor on an expensive engine though...

George

Roof of the cab is seperate and has I think four tabs that lock it into the cab wall. You should be sble to dee em on the inside. I think the top of the 2263 oil tank is the same . You should be aboe to see that if you remove the tank from the frame and the front from the tank. All screws on those removals to get at the oil tank top.

Thinking about painting or replacing. I have a MTH Christmas 260E and I never liked those Green Roofs.