How to remove top part of tender at 4-4-0 richmond loco? Please help

[shushu]

I tried to remove the top part of tender to install sound decoder inside.    How to remove it?

[Tom M.]

There are two small screws in the front corners of the tender floor.  You will have to turn the front truck from side to side to expose them.  After both of the front screws are removed, rotate the front of the tender upwards.  This will allow the two plastic finders that engage the rear of the tender floor to come loose.

Before you do this, however, it is a good thing to remove the ladder that goes up the back of the tender.  It is a pressure fit into the tender frame and shell.  Also, be very careful about how you handle the tender.  The 4 corner steps are very delicate and prone to breaking in you bend them.  The truck chains are also very delicate where they attach to the frame.

I've installed sound in 5 of these little jewels so far.  I used a Tsunami 750 light steam in them.  I also installed a backup light on the tender.  To do this, I used Cal Scale brass castings for them.
 
Good luck,

Tom

[shushu]

Thank you, Tom.