Need to remove the shell on an early Kato Alco RS-11

yellow_cad Feb 19, 2018

  1. yellow_cad

    yellow_cad TrainBoard Member

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    I just want to do a lube job and I am having a problem getting the shell off. Does anyone have the technique?
     
  2. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    You might want to wait until someone else responds before trying what I recall because there might be an easier way.

    I start by removing the cab. Have a business card cut to ~1/4" x 1" strips nearby.

    Pop the handrails out of the cab sides. Place a modeler's knife blade at the base of the cab above the frame rail and sort of lift and twist. The cab might pop free. If not, insert one of your strips in the gap and up into the cab so that the cab doesn't settle back into position. Then move to the other side and do the same with the modeler's knife. This time the cab should pop free. With it off, you'll see tabs exposed on the main shell where the cab sits and you'll be able to lift the shell over these.
     
  3. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    Besides the cab removal I believe there may be tabs at either end that also hold the body on.
     
  4. logging loco

    logging loco TrainBoard Supporter

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    Search On YouTube. Kato rs-11 Shell removal.
    Mike Fifer of Fifer Hobby Supply, a TrainBoard sponsor has a video for Kato, but it's not an RS-11.
     
  5. atsf_arizona

    atsf_arizona TrainBoard Supporter

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    See the instructions at this excellent blog:

    http://n-scale-dcc.blogspot.com/2012/01/tcs-z2-in-older-atlas-rs11.html

    By Brad Myers. Included it here just to help get us all started, the above photos are Brad's intellectual property. Brad's website is great, check it out.

    And then I supplemented that with this photo essay: http://www.pbase.com/atsf_arizona/atlaskators11shellondccmechanism

    With photos like this:

    [​IMG]

    Have a look at the above two links, should help you figure out how to remove the shell on the Atlas/Kato RS11. It's a bit involved but not too bad after you know how to do it.

    (Boy, today's Kato, Atlas, Intermountain, Fox Valley diesels in general are *so much easier* to get the shell off!).

    Good luck and work slowly and carefully, enjoy.
     
    Hardcoaler likes this.

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