Hi guys, hope you all are enjoying a great holiday weekend. Over the last 20 years I've been collecting Life Like Proto locos (no Walthers) and several began to thump thump down the track after awhile even after sitting in their boxes. I replaced all the split axles on these, but I have a few others that never thumped after 10-20 years. Are these safe by now? Are all the LL Protos prone to splitting, or were there later factory runs with improved axles already installed? Can I determine this by box colors, stock numbers, etc? I have P2000 E8s, FA1s, SW8/9s, and P1000 Erie Builts. Thank you! -Rob
My P2K GP-9s both developed the splits pretty early in their lives. My P1K Alco RSC3 never had a problem.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
It was mostly 4 wheel trucks, BL2, GP7, GP9, FA's, GP18, etc.
No way to tell for sure until they break.
E units and PA's, seldom but it happens.
As soon as LikeLike figured it out, they fixed it, and gave away staggering numbers of replacements.
But that was 20 years ago......
Sheldon
When I change out cracked axles I make a note in the Locos. ''Report Card'' that includes all Info on the Loco. I also put a dot of red paint on the first replacement new axles. If one axle is cracked, I replace all axles at that time an save the unbroken ones. When buying LLP2K new or used at train shows I expect axles to be cracked until proven not.