Lionel Diner

6-number???

If I had to guess, I'd say it's the 6-12722 or the 6-12802.

Unfortunately I have no wisdom to share as to dis-assembly.

-Dave

  I think if you look closely at the windows, you will see 1 window at each side by the end of the car has a 'lip'. All 4 lips have to be pushed in to release the roof from the body. ( not an easy task ).  Harry 

There used to be a thread about removing the roof from those things, they're the same as some of the MPC passenger cars.  As Harry says, you need either four hands or to use the technique illustrated in the thread that I can't find now.  It involves using some plastic rulers to hold the tabs out as you manipulate the other ones to remove the roof.

Simply use flat toothpicks.

Tabbed window roof removal.  Posted this here several years ago.  It was about changing a bulb in a Polar Express passenger car but the same principle should apply to similar roofs.

1.  Trim and shape four craft sticks.

2.  Insert craft sticks into tabbed windows.

3.  Lift roof.

4.  Remove roof.

HTH.

TP

Thanks for all the help. I want to salvage the smoke unit and put passenger car trucks on the thing. Then paint it tuscan. Really doesn't fit on my layout so will use it as a diner.

Now that we know how to get the roof off (great pixs by the way) and Jim has shared with us his future modifications, I just have to weigh in on this model.  First of all, I love both versions of it.  They are just great. 

HOWEVER, they show a "fantasy" diner that helps perpetuate the myth that the architectural type known as American diners were actually converted railway cars.  Very, very few of them were. In fact, of all the surviving diners that I've a record of only 12 were railroad cars, while nearly twice that -- 22 were converted trolley cars.  It's the later that historians believe gave real diners a bad reputation. Leaky old trolleys did not make for the best dining experience.

There were specific companies who built diner architecture and some still exist. Diners were originally horse drawn wagons and their size and shape grew along with transportation (rail and truck).  You'll find real diners with monitor roofs and side entries just like the Lionel models have and wonderful "Moderne" train styling but they were not railroad cars. They just reflected the designs of their times.

Just had to throw that out for those interested in trains, diners, and architecture (hopefully a little bit in all of us :-)  I've got tons of photos but very few are digital.  Here are two real diners with monitor roofs, one of which has been covered up. Both are in Massachusetts, a state that had a few manufacturers.  Interestingly, the majority of the states with the real converted dining car/trolley restaurants are not in New England.

Enjoy!

Tomlinson Run Railroad

Well, I got the roof off the dining "car" and there were no tabs. I got a scewdriver under the roof and worked it and the roof and white plastic with silhouettes on it came up and out in one piece. Removed the smoke unit and a couple of small screws. Have another passenger truck on the other end. The coupler shank is short but just enough to go around an 054 curve. So tomorrow I check my LHS for paint and Sat. check the Greenberg show in Pittsburgh for better trucks. One with an electrical pick up would be great. I have one diner on my layout and if I find another suitable one it will go on. Our area had several "train car" diners at one time but they were the factory made kind. I think most real train car or trolley diners had the kitchen in the back as an addition.