B-Mann 44 tonner questions

[Jim Starbuck]

The 44t is going to the paint shop soon.
Is there a good way to remove the handrails sans damage?

I can't really tell from the pictures I've seen, but were the numberboards lit on the prototype?

This one is going to be Milwaukee Road #992 in the orange/black scheme if that matters.

Thanks
Jim

[tracksentinel]

Short answer. No.
There is no easy way to remove those handrails. They are glued on.
Like the law of averages, some come out of the holes intact, some don't. I used a new xacto blade as a twist-pry and  was able to save the big end rails but ended up junking the grabs on the hood ends, re-drilling the holes and making new ones from brass wire.
It's tricky.

[SkipGear]

Try striping it with the rails on it first. Sometimes the stripper will loosen the paint in the holes and allow them to come out easier. Remember if they are glued in, they are glued to the paint. Softening the paint can help.

That is the best solution I have found for the painted Walthers GP38's. Can't say that I tried it on the 44T as I was lucky that they came in B&O already. Just some renumbering needed.

[Chris333]

I pushed the handrails out from the bottom/inside with a slightly blunt exacto.

[Walkercolt]

Close to Chris. Used the flat end of #61-80 micro-drill set, sized as close as possible, and some very gentle use of a blade from the outside. Paint job for me was easy; just plain black (actually, I'm taking a page from the IPMS book and used about 50% SP Dark Lark grey added to Engine black Polly-Scale. Doesn't "soak-up" all the detail as much.) Now all I need are some small yellow FRISCO "Coon-skins" for the cab, and some small chevrons for the ends. Wide hoods and all, I can't believe this is a Bachmann with DCC built-in, that runs this well and can handle 4-6 freight cars for switching. A tool and die maker friend in the train club is looking at the chassis to see if he can't machine some places for some thin tungsten sheet he has at work. Maybe pull 8-10 cars easily?

[altohorn25]

Jim,

I also just did one of this in Milw paint, however I did it in the original all black.  To echo what others have said, I pushed the handrails out from inside the shell with a small flathead screwdriver.  I have seen a few different pics of these units in the orange and black; some of them had the extensions on the headlights, some did not.  My advice is to find a prototype photo of the web; then you will have evidence as to what you do when someone questions you about something (that never happens......right?!?!?).  The photo I used had no headlight enclosures, so I just trimmed them off.  The biggest problem that I had with this and my photo was that the railings are not quite correct and neither is the hood louvers.  I turned out quite well other than that.  Can't beat it, especially for under $70.00 with DCC installed, until something better comes along.  Perhaps I'll take another one and work on the hood.

I think I posted a photo of my loco a couple of weekend updates ago.  If I find it, I'll attach it here.

Nate Pierce

[altohorn25]

Here's the photos.

Nate Pierce

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[Jim Starbuck]

Thanks for the help, I knew if it was possible, someone here would have done it.
Nate, yours looks great.
Yes, they are going to be a bit of a foobie  but that's OK with me.  It sure is a blast to run.
I'll try to post some pics when it's done.
Jim