How does one open up an Athern Genesis USRA 2-8-2?

Does this loco have a tether to the tender? If so, the electronics in the tender may have an issue causing it not to run. 

I have a couple of these engines and if I'm remembering correctly there was a problem with one or both of the wires in the boiler working loose. One of the guys in the club I was in got pretty good at fixing them, including mine. I don't remember how he took them apart but I do remember there was a lot of screws! Here's a photo of the parts diagram, if that's any help.

Joe Shipbaugh

Matt Makens posted:

Does this loco have a tether to the tender? If so, the electronics in the tender may have an issue causing it not to run. 

Thanks for your reply. I looked at the tender and see a "shelf " for the placement of the electronic board hanging out of the cab. 

Otherwise the tender is void with only a drawbar and some sticky weights inside.

That ones old school so you’ll have to crack open the boiler. There’s usually one or two screws holding the boiler on. Looks like there’s one in the steam chest.

The Athearn Steam locos were a horrible design from Samhongsa that suffered from chronic cracked gear and u-joint syndrome, in addition to having a body shell that required distorting to the point of breaking, just to remove it. They were also out of balance (too heavy on one end) to get proper traction on the drivers, so their pulling ability was quite limited. So much for Model Railroader Magazine’s “Product of the Year” award, which turned out to be only a tip of the hat to one of their biggest advertising accounts. Athearn is out of parts and no longer offers support, and cancelled plans for a re-run to fix the many issues with these locos because they were so bad, but give them a call anyway, to see what they say, just in case. Is the motor not running due to an electrical problem or is the drive locked up mechanically? I’m sorry to say this, but I think replacing the loco with one of better quality, such as Broadway limited, is really your best option. I have several Athearn Pacific’s and Mikes that are only good for use as dummies to fill up empty stalls in the roundhouse.

Bill in FtL

get a bigger hammer!!

It appears to be electrical. If you look at the pictures in previous post, you see a dangling red wire. I think that wire broke off the motor so I need to see the motor in order to verify my hunch. I am hoping it's a simple soldering job.