I am fairly new to n-scale and like to know how to take apart rolling stock so modifications can be made (i.e. decoders, lights, etc). I just bought an Atlas Trainman Caboose, model number 39813. What I need to know is, how do remove the trucks. I cannot see a screw, unless it is very small and recessed deep in the center. I do not want to try and pop the truck off since it might be connected with a screw. Any help would be appreciated. Also, which is better, wheel pickups or axel pickups?
For the first part - I have a couple of standard (pre-Trainman) Atlas cabeese, and the trucks are held on by a friction pin, so they'd just pry off. I don't see why Atlas would change this, but it shouldn't be too hard to tell by just looking in the middle of the truck from underneath. A screw, if that's used, would probably be a cross-tip, while a friction pin would either be flat or have a hole in the center. As for the second part, sorry...never messed with electronics in anything other than locos.
On this caboose, the trucks are held on with a friction pin. Easiest way I've found is to use a small flat head screwdriver to very gently pry the truck away from the body, causing the truck and pin to separate. For the few cabeese and FREDs I've done, I've put in battery powered flashers. Gets rid of having to mess with the wheels at all and issues from bad track and having to wire them.
Thanks. I was thinking it might be a friction type pin, but with N scale it doesn't take too much pressure to break your stock.
