Any thoughts on how to get this open? Loose weights inside (Update: turns out to be my lucky day!)

hokie71 posted:

I recently bought this car and in transit the weights inside appear to have come loose.   Does anyone know how to take this apart so I can re glue those- suggestions welcome.  I heard there are Atlas exploded views somewhere but I can't find them.  Thanks for any help!

OK, this may sound like a dumb question but, what difference does it make if the internal weight is loose? The loose weight can't go anywhere, and once the car is on the layout, the loose weight shouldn't cause any problems.

Have to go with HW on this one, I'd just leave it alone.  Trying to pry it open is likely to do cosmetic damage that's really not necessary.

You guys brought a smile to my face! 

I had that thought too but I wanted to be sure there was not something I was missing.  Atlas does do amazing detail and I would hate to mess this one up.   You guys win, as the expression goes... I need to "deal with it!"

Well, who knew this was my lucky day, even a blind pig finds an acorn every now and then as one of my friends from the hills used to say!

While packing the box together, I noticed a paper inside. Who knew the car has opening hatches?  Carefully opening them up, I found the weights in the middle of the car had broken loose- apparently a nylon spacer or shaft had broken and the spacer was still there, rattling around.Others were still solid- Atlas has three sets of these weights I found out,

With my trusty needle nose pliers, I fished the broken piece out and manipulated the weights back in place.  After multiple applications of super glue gel, I replaced the broken part (with a lot of super glue) and am waiting for it to dry.  The final touch will be strategic globs of GOOP.

RTFM, never a bad idea!

RTFM indeed, what a hoot!