American Models Wood-sided Caboose

How to Disassemble the Caboose

These models can be a challenge to open up. Phil Copleston asked for help on how to do this, and here are the suggestions he made based on the feedback he received. He recommends loosening the roof/glazing molding from the sides by inserting a drift pin into the four corner holes and carefully tapping. It was enough to move the roof just a fraction above the sides. He then carefully inserted a loose Stanley knife blade into the gaps and twisted downwards and it moved a bit further. Gradually he got it to slide out far enough to overcome the friction, which eventually enabled him to just pull the two units apart. There appears to be no glue used, but paint may have found its way into the very tight joint. The side glazing and the roof are one molded unit (the roof section is painted on both sides).

Terry O'Kelly offers these tips. The screws go through the floor into a piece that is a combination of windows and roof. The floor and walls are one part; the clear plastic and roof/cupola are another part, and this part typically sticks to the body because it is a tight fit and may have been applied while paint was not fully cured. Once the screws are out, try to pull the roof edge up on one end, then alternate to the other end. A small amount of lubricant may help to speed up the process, but it's not easy. The main thing to "discover" is that the window/roof combination fits just within the four walls of the caboose.