Average life expectancy of a model locomotive ?

[Anonymous]

My locomotives are all old, diecast stuff. They have been bulletproof. I am willing to bet the newer, high end equipment is just as good and will last just as long with proper care and handling. With the older locomotives like I have, the cheap stuff was, well, just plain cheap. I believe this still might be true today. Buyer beware!

Tom

[Anonymous]

Depends how many times it falls on the floor.

[Tilden]

I still have my Mantua 040 tank switcher from my first train set, received for Christmas in 1959. It still runs, I put a can motor in a few years ago, just to make it runs smoother. The comments on maintenance are right on. Take care of it and it will take care of you

[PennsyHoosier]

I have several locos that are more than 30 years old that are still running well and pulling decent sized trains.

[pedromorgan]

i have a p2k loco that ran in a show window for about 2 years. it still runns althought the wheels now have groves in them.

Peter

[Anonymous]

I inherited a lot of trains that I have no idea how old they are, one of them is a rubberband drive, and it still runs, it just won't pull anything. Take care of them and they seem to last. I have a tyco from about 25 - 30 years ago that still runs. My older ones usually sit on display, but they still look good sitting on a siding, or sitting waiting for the ok to go through the diamond across my main line.

[jockellis]

At The Great Train Store in Atlanta, we used numerous locos under the bubbles. I found that the Bachmann Spectrum Baby Trainmaster ran longer than any of the other although the cheap four-wheel drive Bachmann out of the $39.95 set lasted a long time. All lasted longer than, say, Athearn or P2K. However, the P2K would run continuously at a speed of 2.5 inches in 20 minutes. My American Flyer 290 Pacific probably has run from New Haven to Atlanta in total miles and would still run but the blind center driver has a bigger diameter now because the front and rear drivers stayed on the track the entire time and I had lots of curved track.
Jock Ellis

[Anonymous]

I have a linberg SW1 switcher that is still in service. I bought it in 1962 when it first was introduced.

[rogerhensley]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dimastep

One of the reasons I started this thread is to try and have evidence for my better half that spending money now is an investment :) I am only partially joking

I guess that you could say that... :-)

In any event my Athearn GP9 just developed a motor winding problem after 23 years of nearly daily usage. The Athearn GP 35 from 1984 still runs like a top and my Athearn SW1500 (SW7) from 1983 is still hauling grain cars for me. The motors were smaller and more prone to failure, but mine still plugs away. Also, my Atlas SD24 (1985) performs beautifully. For my Grandkids, I have a mantua critter circa 1975 and a Bachmann critter circa 1980 that still moves freight.

In my display case, I have a set of Varney die cast F3s that run well and several Marx (yes, they did make HO) engines from 1960 that perfrom great . All of my kids Tyco locos died within a year or two and I replaced the power unit with Mantua power trucks.

The new stuff probably is not going to last as long, but you should expect 10 to 15 years of normal usage.

[Anonymous]

I agree. If properly taken care of most will last a lifetime. I have in my collection, a Pennline Pacific steamer [first] purchased in the early 60s that is still running and several Athearn {some rubber band] from then as I added. None have had problems

[Anonymous]

I always thought the rods on a steamer would fail before any other part. The motor, gears, and wheels seem like they wear down slower.

[wccobb]

A problem with some of the very old locomotives is that the "pot metal" will crumble.

In general, any locomotive with a three pole motor ain't a winner - although there are a few exceptions.

If its got big "spools" on the axles and rubber bands,its probably a display model, not a "runner".

Gotta agee with the others - a little TLC can make all the difference.

[cbq9911a]

Indefinite. I'm still running my father's Lionel 259E from ca. 1938.

[Anonymous]

I would say relatively forever. I have several that are over 40 years old and run like champs. my roster/collection spans the mid 60's through now. The only ones that have ever 'died' were the el cheapo 'toy train' ones that weren't missed.

[Anonymous]

I bought a athern GP 9 in 1973 and it still runs like a champ. As long as you properly
maintain them in my opinion they will last for ever.

[Anonymous]

>>One of the reasons I started this thread is to try and have evidence for my better half that spending money now is an investment :) I am only partially joking<<

Not a good way to create an estate. Good brass can be resold later, often at a profit. Not so with most plastic / scenery items / etc. JOHN

[Anonymous]

I have a Roco PA-1 that was made in Austria in the 1960's. I converted to DCC in 2003. This is still a real work horse. The shell needs a new paint job, but what 45 year old diesel doesn't? Also an Athearn F-7, bought in the 70's is still going strong. Another Athearn, an SW-7 that was bought about 10 years ago has had the motor replaced. This was a warrenty replacement, so might just be one bad apple in the barrel.
Treat them with TLC, keep them clean and properly lubed, and they may out live you.
Now that we have DCC, try not to stage too many train wrecks. It is hard on the motive power.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Paul Milenkovic

I have a Bachmann 2-8-2 steamer that has started making horrible screeching sounds when run at more than half voltage. I got the drivers off and it still makes that sound on the test bench with just the motor spinning and not doing anything. It took me the better part of the afternoon to get the drivers back on and thread the valve gear into the valve and piston guides. I tried dripping in a little silicone oild but it didn't change anything.

I tried searching the web about dissassembly of steam locom models and the news was discouraging. How do you disassemble one of those things to get access to the motor bearings for adding thrust washers or for oiling or brush changes?

I've had similar problems with some older locos - have you tried adding a drop of oil to each motor bearing? This cured the problem on my loco (A used Bachmann F7A, which now runs as quietly and smoothly as new Proto equipment).

[Anonymous]

In my experience, I have found that the locomotives run fine until you tell someone that they "run fine", then they give out on you!![:D][xx(] I have had some locomotives that have lasted 25 years and are still running (Athearn, Kato, Atlas), then I've had some that died[xx(][:(] after just two years (Proto 2000, Spectrum) - and all were well treated and cared for. However, to be honest, Life Like DID send replacement parts for the locomotives and , so far, they are running quite well. I imagine, now that I've said that, they will all die tomorrow!!![banghead][:-,]. However, model railroading is supposed to be FUN - PLEASURE - not an investment!!!
Norman

[Paul Milenkovic]

I have a Bachmann 2-8-2 steamer that has started making horrible screeching sounds when run at more than half voltage. I got the drivers off and it still makes that sound on the test bench with just the motor spinning and not doing anything. It took me the better part of the afternoon to get the drivers back on and thread the valve gear into the valve and piston guides. I tried dripping in a little silicone oild but it didn't change anything.

I tried searching the web about dissassembly of steam locom models and the news was discouraging. How do you disassemble one of those things to get access to the motor bearings for adding thrust washers or for oiling or brush changes?

[Anonymous]

I have 25 Athearn locos and they are all 30-40 years old.....my Dad bought some of them before I was born and when I was a kid....all of them were box prices of $11.50-$15.00 for powered loco's.

All of them went into storage in 1983 after my parents divorced and the layout was torn up and my parenst went separate ways.

In 1999 my dad sent me two boxes full of our Athearn trains. I quickly assembled a 4X8 oval of track in the basement and took them out of the box , placed them on the track and with a firm light pressure on the engines they all sprang to life after more than 15 years in storage.

Athearn engines are immortal........ and will certainly last longer than 18 years of marriage and 15 years of storage.

[Anonymous]

I've got engine that I bought 30 years ago that still run great, and look good too. I'ts all in how well you take care of them.

[Anonymous]

One of the reasons I started this thread is to try and have evidence for my better half that spending money now is an investment :) I am only partially joking

[Fergmiester]

My wife read the heading on the way out the door and her answer was:
"It depends on how annoyed I'll (she) become if you blow the budget on these things"

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tatans

I really wondered about the intent of this question, after reading the responses, I realised the quality of the query, I have never given a thought to life span of locomotives till now, This will probably say a lot about the quality of some engines and aid in future purchases, and gives people some insight as to how long their choo-choo's are going to last----great question.

Well, my intentions were pretty straightforward. As I am new to the hobby I wanted to know how good of an investment it is. I can tell you that in hobbies like nitro RC cars, planes etc. things are a lot more fragile. People are spending their money on parts instead of new stuff.

This hobby is a lot more rewarding !

[Anonymous]

I have Athearn F7s and GP9s that are over 10 years old and doing just great. My Proto 2000 E8s are about 7 years old and running alright. God bless Athearn

[Anonymous]

Of the three Mantua engines that I bought in the late fiftys two still have the origional motors, they've just gone through a lot of brushes and com cleanings.

My PFM brass is still running but with new motors so they could be decodered.

Bob

[tatans]

I really wondered about the intent of this question, after reading the responses, I realised the quality of the query, I have never given a thought to life span of locomotives till now, This will probably say a lot about the quality of some engines and aid in future purchases, and gives people some insight as to how long their choo-choo's are going to last----great question.

[randybc2003]

My AHM 4-4-0 Genoa (Riverosi I think), '68 still going good. My Brass (Japanise Import) Mogul just as good. Have a couple of old Tycos that need serviceing now and then - hope to put can motors and decoders in them.