It's my understanding that these old Atlas/Riv steamers are made of a type of plastic called Zamac, which unfortunately is quite brittle and prone to cracking. Unfortunately from what I've read, the motors also have a reputation for melting down. This website http://www.visi.com/~spookshow/riv080.html has reviews of basically every N Scale engine ever made.
Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad in N Scale.
www.prr-nscale.blogspot.com
Like the topic of the post say i have been having issues with this locomotive recently. when I initial bought it ran OK, but after removing the plastic outer shell to inspect the frame and put it back on the locomotive failed to move and appears to be shorting out somewhere. When i turn on my power pack for my track on i i get to a certain point and then the power pack clicks like its tripping a fuse. Any one have a suggestion on what this could be?
I also recently bought another Rivorssi 0-8-0 after having a a chance to run it, it also shorts out too, i took the plastic shell off and was looking at the frame and it appears to be cracked in two places as well as a missing rivet or other connector that would hold the mounts for a side rod mount. I was wondering if it was possible to repair the cracks in the frame or re-rivet the side rod mount to the frame, or it least figure out how to get it to run?