I got quite a few older p2k geeps and I replace the "some what normal "cracked gears with Athearn gears but I was thinking Id like to pick up some complete replacement axels w/gears and wheels for the tool box .would walthers be the ticket or is there another brand and what would these type parts cost.?.I tryed the walthers site but coudnt find repaire parts .
oh ,I got an older gold box gp18 and it has a very blackish type a wheels on it not the shiny wheels blue box and silver box p2k come with so was thinking of changing em too.. Jerry
Jerry,
If you're wanting replacement geared wheelsets, I would go with Northwest Short Line (NWSL). They use pre-shrunk Delrin for their machined gears so that they don't crack when they are press fit to the axle.
I just replaced the geared wheelsets in my Walthers SW1 switcher with NWSL wheelsets. They make a very good product. From my understanding, the wheels are solid nickel-silver and not plated. And, if you have any sort of question, an e-mail will get you a quick response - usually the same day.
Hope that helps...
Tom
[Edit: Jerry, NWSL is now under the ownership of Oso Railworks. The original NWSL site doesn't seem to be working presently. (Not sure if that's temporary or permanent.). So, you may want to use the Oso web site link to view NWSL product.]
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Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
I've had good luck replacing the alxe gears with Athearn parts, but mostly use the NWSL solid nickel silver wheels. In the bad old days NWSL also had plated brass wheels, and the plating wore off easily, so I'd avoid those if you run across any. JayBee also offered solid nickel silver wheels which worked pretty well. I think Athearn's current RTR offerings have solid NS wheels too, so they may be another option.
Rob Spangler
OK;Im @ the nwsl new site but theres a few choices ...so what wheels are for gp 7,9,18 they show like 6 sizes ex. HO 40/88 half axel 1.5mm,42/110 1.5mm weathered half axel ,ect ect....
oh and walthers is OUT OF STOCK, man I just hate those words...Jerry
I have no idea...but that's why I mentioned e-mailing them in my earlier post. NWSL was very helpful in answering my inquiries and I usually got a reply back from them the same day.
yea Tom ;got the info its a 40/110 ,nice people...Jerry
BIG JERR oh and walthers is OUT OF STOCK, man I just hate those words...Jerry
The cracked gears were a problem before Walthers bought Proto / Life-Like, so they might not have parts going back that far now. I think at one time they did...up to a certain date you could send them back to Walthers and they'd replace them even though it was before their time.
I just used the Athearn gears and re-used the Proto wheels. Cheap and easy. I just ordered direct from Athearn. I have 4 Geeps plus a bunch of others that may or may not develop the cracked gear problem, so I bought a bunch of Athearn gear packs and as I prep each loco (add decoder, cab drip strips, paint the handrails), I also swap the gears. None of mine actually failed as of yet, but they will. Sicne I drop the gears out, I also clean up the excess lubricant and put a drop of good quality Labelle gear lube on them. The first pair ran for hours at a time at a club show with no issues.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I really hate to hear that Walthers is out of stock on those replacements. I've used the NWSL on other stuff with good result. Haven't tried the Athearn gear yet, not a bad idea.
Richard