Toy train operating and collecting

I just bought an MTH Railking 30-1118-1 PRR K4 Torpedo on evilbay. The ending price was $150. and the loco had never been on any rails, it's dead mint. Well, it was a local seller, so I went to his house to pick it up. He just had to show it to me & "HE" DROPPED THE TENDER .. about a 4 foot drop to the floor. Now, screws are lying on the floor where they broke the threads to the tender's shell. SO, he told me not to worry about it and that he couldn't sell me something broken or he'd offer to sell it to me as is for a lesser price. I inquired, .... and he said "The engine has to be worth $50., How about $50?". I brought it home. I don't know if it messed up the electronics yet or not, but I'm wondering how would be the best way to "fix" the thread problems?

thanks in advance,

Jeremy in Bardstown, Ky

Die-cast or plastic tender shell ?

If diecast you mite be able to re-tap to the next larger size, if it is plastic and the posts are not broken possibly a small sheet metal or self tapping screw. If you have a good hobby or hardware shop in town take the tender shell with you and see what they suggest.

it's diecast. thanks for the reply doug

If, the screws did not break off and leave a portion in the hole the it MAY be able to be tapped to the next size screw but be sure to measure the diameter of the post and determine if there is enough "meat" to accomodate the larger tap. If not, you may have to use some JB Weld or some other metal putty that can be drilled and tapped.. Hope all works out for you!

If you have the part number, then go to MTH's website and get their tech support number. If it is a relatively new engine they may have some extra tender shells.

If the screws fix fails and MTH doesn't have a spare this side of the Pacific --- "Heavy Duty Velcro" fron Radio Shack.

   

I'm thinking about taking it to an authorized repair center. I just don't want to make it worse than it already is. Thanks for the input though. The JB Weld idea sounds good, but I don't want the tender sealed eternally. It might work to adhere the broken off parts and then use the drill.

thanks for the replies & if there are any other suggestions, I'd be glad to hear them.

IMHO, if the engine is relatively new you are better contacting MTH. They have been known to have you ship it in for service, determine what is wrong, and you receive a new engine in the mail. Not saying they will do that in this case, but I have heard of it happening.

A fellow I know at the LTS had a J-Class that he knocked off his layout, did some good damage to the engine, tender, internal electronics, etc. He contacted Lionel, they had him ship it to them for service, and the engine he got back he swore was brand new. The companies are going above and well beyond with customer service...

I agree with 88 I have a SD-80MAC by lionel somehow I broke the front steps/coupler gaurd any way I called lionel 9this was about 3 months ago) the engine is from 1996 so its well out of covered service anyway told them what I needed and they said they were out of stock but asked for my phone number and address as part of there records and about 2 weeks later I had one in the mail free of charge.