Oil Drum Loader Mechanical Question

[LittleTommy]

This is more of a question for the mechanical engineers out there than anything else but there is something for the collectors too.

My Lionel reproduction of the American Flyer Oil Drum Loader (6-2300) cataloged in 1983 began to operate poorly about 2 months ago.  After fiddling with it, I found that the power was being transmitted from the motor to the worm driving the mechanism by a flywheel with a belt and the belt had stretched out over the years so that it no longer would reliably work.  I ordered a replacement belt from a dealer and replaced the worn belt for the time being with a rubber band that seems to work okay but I know won't last for another 30 years. 

Anyway, I wonder why the engineers used a belt and flywheel rather than just a gear to drive this mechanism as a gear would seem less likely to wear out or break and it doesn't look like a gear would take up more room.  

So, anyway, if someone with more mechanical background than I has any ideas on this, I'd appreciate your input

I don't know if the mechanism in my accessory manufactured my Lionel is any different than in the original by A. C. Gilbert so if you collector types know the answer to that, I'd like to know that as well. 

Little Tommy

[TrainLarry]

One reason that belts may be used is that if the mechanism jams, a belt will slip. In a gear driven setup if the mechanism jams, you burn out the motor.

A belt/pulley system is simpler and cheaper to manufacture and maintain than a gear drive system.

Larry