Minitrains Kraus steamer. How remove body?

[gallopingalice]

Help please.
I have a nice new Minitrains Krauss Loco and I'd like to get the lid off.
A screw-in chimney looks likely but is it?
Richard 6080

[petersmith1942]

Hope I am talking about the Kraus, as opposed to Stainz but the Kraus was definitely not designed to be disassembled. The new Stainz and Gmeinder are so designed
I am reluctant to describe how I did it because it was trial and (mostly) error. The body is not easily removed even after stack screw removed and when it is the valve gear comes with it but not the cylinders. If you look at Minitrains web site there is a description of how to install a decoder in a Kraus and you will see pics of the body released but still fixed to the valve gear
I like tinkering etc and fairly experienced and would not recommend disassembling the Kraus
Sorry if this is not helpful and hope somebody else comes up with a solution that ensures you have a running loco at the end of it
Peter Smith

[gallopingalice]

Peter
Thanks for your reply. I had a look at the Minitrains web site and found the disassembled Stainz.
Er um! Took the plunge anyway, and opened my Krauss. So for any other would be disassemblers.

The chimney is quite a tight fit and the joint is just below the double flange.

NOTE
The cylinders are a separate component and are held to the chassis via the gear.
Part of the gears protrude into the body on both sides, these can be extracted.
There is a 'snap-fit' device between the chassis and the body which needs to be released with considerable care.
The flywheel is a tight fit through the cab in two places.
It helps to hold down the chassis, with a screw driver over the central part, whilst manipulating the body around the flywheel.
Putting the chimney back into the chassis to hold the cylinders and gear together is a very good idea.

Reassembly involves a tricky bit when the flywheel and the spikes on the gear need to be persuaded back into place simultaneously.

Richard (6080)

[B.Meldon]

Here is the link to the web page on the Minitrains web site about fitting a DCC decoder in the Koppel loco:

http://www.minitrains.eu/e/minitrainseko1.html

Brian Meldon