If you follow other N scale forums,you'll see folks talking about how badly Atlas has dropped the ball getting these locos in production and in the hands of us eager model railroaders. So...how about Bachmann stepping up to the plate? This company did a fine job with small diesels like the 44/70 tonners and I'm sure it is capable of taking on a project like the Shays. And while they're at it,Heisler locos would be welcome too.

Hi; Just joined here. I have both of these locos and run them quite a bit on my club's layout. I want to convert them to MT 905 z scale couplers.
I have two questions;
How do I get the shells off? I've tried spreading the shells at the fuel tank on the 44 tonner and almost get it but I worry about damaging it if I force it any more.

The second question is about that post on the bottom of the shell the stock coupler mounts on. The hole on the MT coupler box is too small to fit over the post. I've been tempted to clip the post off and hopefully use the Bachmann screw to mount it on the sill.  I think drilling a larger hole in the MT box will ruin it.
Any help/advice will be appreciated.
These are great little locos