Guides for opening up a Legacy steam locomotive?

It's always toughest the first time. I've learned to take plenty of pics with my phone so I remember where everything was! Good Luck!!

The exact model number would be useful here.  The user's manual normally indicates where the boiler screws are to disassemble it.  Some are very easy, and some have spaghetti wiring that will make your hair stand on end. 

Don't every take apart the Legacy Lindbergh Atlantic with whistle smoke, it's packed like a sardine in there!  It took me several tries to get the boiler back on without pinching wires, they have to be dressed "just so".   Many of the small steamers are stuffed pretty tightly, bigger ones have more room as a rule.  The mallet is a decent sized locomotive, so I suspect the odds are that it's not too bad to remove the boiler shell.  The Vision Line Big Boy is actually a breeze to take the boiler shell off, very nice layout for service in that one.

As a good generic rule... 

I have found that there are usually 3 slightly larger screws to look for. One just under the pilot trucks and two in the back under the cab. USUALLY removing these three screws will allow for basic disassembly (i.e. Boiler off the frame), then you can further remove what you see fit to get to what you are attempting to repair. Keep in mind that you will still have to assess which wire harnesses to unplug to actually separate the boiler completely. I usually set the boiler on its side just above the engine frame so I do not have to unplug the wire harnesses unless I have to. 

There are exceptions such as the CC2 Niagara which is much more complex to dissemble.

While it may sound daunting, learning how to dissemble your engines is not very difficult and is a useful bit of skill to master. I have disambled most of the engines I own. Knowing how to do this will also allow you to make basic tune ups like smoke unit rebuilds. 

I have the Mallet and was just in a short while ago.

Two screws at the back - the ones close to you when you have the engine upside-down.

Two screws - centre of the second set of steam chests from the front.

That's it ...4 screws and the boiler will come off.

The front of the boiler has a "slip in" part to the frame for the articulation.

Just wiggle the boiler back and forth until it slips out..........easier putting it back in.

This by far was one of the easiest engines I have ever worked on, in terms of getting in.

While in you might want to re-pack the whistle smoke unit.....makes a huge difference to get that chunk of fiberglass out in favour of better wicking.

Plenty of room in there to work and you don't have to un-plug any wiring.

Let us know how you make out.

Dave

Magnetize the tip of your screwdriver so you don't drop the screws somewhere you don't wanna drop them 

Many of the larger steamers have four screws, some have only three.  A lot of the brass stuff follows the pattern laidoffsick states, one screw in front and two small ones on the back of the cab.

... don't .... ;-)

With what I do, "don't" simply isn't an option.