Large Scale Central

Bachmann Connie....How to remove front coupler pocket?

Modeling
#1

I have been trying to remove the front coupler pocket from my Connie. NO success so far without totally destroying the pilot. I have been told that their are pins molded to the pocket and that it should easily pull out. I have also been told that Bachmann did not use glue and it was just a press fit.

I will be replacing this pocket with an Accucraft pocket and coupler. Just so happens the pin locations in the pilot for the original, is the same as the Accucraft pocket.

My question is has anyone had trouble removing this pocket from their Connie?

#2

I’ve always just been able to remove them with a little “friendly persuasion” from a sturdy pair of pliers. Make sure the coupler’s out of it, then have at it. Alas, I can’t find my front pilot in my scrap box to verify, but I did find a coupler pocket casting–four pins that pressed into the pilot beam.

Good luck!

Later,

K

#3

Thanks Kevin. I’ll give it another try.

#4

Gary, it just occurred to me, it looks like that loco’s been modified. (Raised headlight, outside front pilot frame). If you didn’t do that yourself (i.e., that’s the work of a previous owner), and you’re having trouble getting the pilot off, I’d be willing to bet there’s a spot of glue being used. You might need a bigger hammer.

Later,

K

#5

Kevin Strong said:

Gary, it just occurred to me, it looks like that loco’s been modified. (Raised headlight, outside front pilot frame). If you didn’t do that yourself (i.e., that’s the work of a previous owner), and you’re having trouble getting the pilot off, I’d be willing to bet there’s a spot of glue being used. You might need a bigger hammer.

Later,

K

Thanks for noticing the mods. I’m the original owner and the headlight was done by Jonathan Bliese when I had him do the Airwire/Phoenix installed. The pilot truck mod is my work. Other than these items, the engine is stock Bachmann, purchased in February 2007.

#6

Just an addendum to the removal of the pocket.

Rick Marty dropped me an email last night saying that I just MIGHT want to check for hex head screws holding the pocket to the pilot beam. Guess what…that’s EXACTLY what I found! Pretty small, too. I had some difficulty getting verniers in there, but I coming up with .050 to .060 across the hex head! Looking for nut drivers now.

Know what? Grind the hex nuts off from the inside of the pilot beam!

#7

Ok, the pocket is removed. At one time I heard that the hole locations on the Accucraft pocket lined up with the existing holes in the Connie pilot. Mine do not line-up. I need to re-drill the Connie pilot. Any ideas?