Is there a non-invasive way to change smoke stacks on the Bachmann 4-4-0? I have the straight stack No. 119 that I want to convert over to a balloon stack. I did a little googling but came up empty. I'd prefer to avoid cutting off the stack.
The balloon stack used to be a separate part that slipped over a stub and I don't see that listed at Bachmann parts. You could then take that part and simply file off the ridges at the top of the straight stack and just slip it on. Other option is to see if you can find a balloon stack that used to be made by Detail Associates who are no longer in business or possibly check Republic Locomotive's site which has parts.
Thanks. I have my old Bachmann Jupiter that I would just use for parts (it's too far gone for a rebuild), so I could use that balloon stack. Hopefully it comes off without breaking anything.
They used to be just a tight fit slipped onto the stack tube and were not glued. So a slight twist should get it off the post.
I forgot the old stack had broken once before, so pulling it off with the post intact was not an option. Once off, I drilled out the post from within the stack. Then cut off the top of the 119’s stack, filed it down a bit, and the Jupiter’s stack fit right into it. No glue needed. The downside is that the Jupiter has no stack at all. But the 119, now sporting a new balloon stack and removed extended boiler front, looks great.
