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bad proto locos
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<P mce_keep="true">Hey armchair,</P> <P mce_keep="true">You have encountered one of the most common topics on the forum. It comes up all the time. </P> <P mce_keep="true">I have put up this info couple of years ago, but it bears repeating:</P> <P mce_keep="true">ALL the older P2K models are prone to this problem. It can happen to one or all the axls/gears on a loco. And it can happen on a NIB oldstock loco AND to a loco that you have right now that runs fine, but will develop a cracked gear in the future.</P> <P mce_keep="true">Not every P2K older axle will crack. The problem is that a glitch in one LifeLike press (before the days of Walters involvment) resulted in a very big swak of these wheels being pressed onto the gear with holes that are too small (by an infintesimal amount) in the gear. Unfortunately no one noticed for quite awhile as the axles will sit nicely in the loco on the shelf and then just pop open (tiny cracks mind you)...whether the loco was ever used or not. And they can pop open year later even today on one sitting on your layout. I suppose it may have a bit to do with temperature or humidity.</P> <P mce_keep="true">The flawed axles/gears were mixed endlessly with good ones and it is just the luck of the draw what comes up on your loco. I have had old P2K with no problems, one axel gone and some with all four kaput! Those of us who use a lot of P2K take it as a matter of course and keep a supply of replacements on hand.</P> <P mce_keep="true">At first I bought entire new axle assemblies from Walthes modestly priced but then found I really just needed the new gear which can be had for even less from your LHS. Athearn makes gear that will work well.</P> <P mce_keep="true">But dont despair over the P2K locos. I have had the exact thing (for reasons unknown) in more than one other Stewart and a couple of Katos. Go figure.</P> <P mce_keep="true">I buy some locos on Ebay. Many sellers indicate they have already replaced the gears/axles, and every other one that sold me a dud, refunded more than enough of my payment to order replacement gears. And hobby shops will not quibble at all.</P>
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