Removing cabs on Legacy steamers - has anyone removed the Atlantic's cab?

 Paul, looking at Lionel's parts on line. The back wall removes that has the figures. The cab itself is part of the boiler assembly. I for one thinks Lionel should step up their game as far as cab figures. MTH has much better ones for years now. I can't remember the engine I added Arttista's to. Looked pretty simple as the back removed much like the Atlantic's. After grinding down the stock mounts for the figures. I glued them in with some thick Tacky Glue. I ended up having to trim their shoes to get it back together. If you are using figures that have an arm out the window. It's probably best to place and glue them with the cab together.

If you're taking the shell off the early Legacy Lindbergh Atlantic with whistle steam, I advise caution.  That one is PACKED inside, and you'll want to exercise extreme caution in the operation or you'll end up killing it.  That's one of the more difficult models I've worked on, there was no room for anything under that shell!

I second what GRJ said , proceed with extreme caution. This is the most tightly packed Lionel engine I’ve ever worked on. 

Alex 

 Paul, l'm in the process of converting a new Legacy GTW Mikado into a Rutland. The below pics show how the back of the cab removes exposing the figures. The cab figures pop off the cast in mounting boss. I filed down one side till I saw all shiny metal. I fabricated a seat out of some brass sheet. Glued it in with JB Weld. I painted the top backside of the seat as it was easier to do before I glued it in place. The seat will give a solid surface to place the Arttista engineer and fireman on. They can be held in place with a dab of Alene's gel tacky glue or even double sided tape.

Thanks for the tips, everyone.

Lionel and those die-cast tabs certainly don't make it easy to upgrade figures. But, the effort is worth it.  I also use Arttista crews - awesome looking - Man and machine - just like back in the day.