If you have tried to get a 44 class bogie apart then you will know that it is almost impossible. It seems to have been designed to go together and not come apart.
The problem is that there are eight small clips that hold the bottom plate in place. The clips are on the bogie gear box sides and they clip onto the bogie bottom cover plate, however the clips are in a small hole and are almost inaccessible.
The solution to getting the bottom plate off is to grind the clips down until there is only a small amount of plastic still holding on. At this point the cover plate can be removed by flexing the two ends upwards while using your thumb to hold down the centre of the cover plate. This is harder to explain than to do.
I used a micro-engraver which I got from Jaycar but I have seen it in other places such as Bunnings (some time ago). The advantage of using this engraver over a larger Dremel style hand tool is that this engraver is battery powered and doesn't have much torque, there is no out of control damage when the bit digs in, the engraver just stops. A good magnifying light is very useful as well.
Here is a photo of the engraver and the Jaycar link.
You will need to use a small bit in the engraver.
Here is a photo that shows the clips already ground down, I apologise that it is difficult to see the ground down clips in the four square holes along each side of the bogie cover plate, I tried to get a good photo but black plastic clips in black plastic holes are not easy to see at any time.
Now we wait for Trainorama to bring in the replacements.
