There is a really easy way to remove ZW Handles without prying pulling or cracking them. The original ZW handles have a 4-40 nut molded inside the handle just for this purpose.

•First go to Home Depot and buy a #4 -40 by 1” long machine screw with a hex head or slotted head for about 30 cents. I just so happened to have an allen head screw so that is what is shown in Photo 1. 

Photo #1 - 4-40 x 1” long screw.

•The original ZW handles have a small hole in the center of them. Inside that hole is a nut that was ingeniously buried inside by some post war Lionel engineer. Photo 2.

•Screw the 4-40 screw into the hole clockwise using a wrench or straight screwdriver as required. Since I had an allen head screw I used an allen wrench. Photo 2 and 3.

Photo #2 - Turn the 4-40 x 1” screw into the side of the broken ZW handle.

•The ZW handle will be pushed off the side of the ZW. Figure 3

•Align the slot in the inside of the new handle with the tabs on the ZW handle shaft and push the new handle on.

•Done.

Photo #3 - Use a wrench or screwdriver and keep turning the 4-40 screw Clockwise into ZW handle until it is pushed off.