alcofanschdy Thank you for the reply. Maybe I'll pass on this
Thank you for the reply. Maybe I'll pass on this
If that Proto 2000 is a good price, I wouldn't let fear of a cracked axle put you off of a good deal. The replacements won't cost much and all you do is pop off the wheel gear cover and replace them - it's fairly quick and easy.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
If they are the type where the wires go to a small board that plugs in to a larger board with a bunch of diodes - the gears on the other 3 WILL crack. I have a supply of the Athearn gears and I just swap them out when I take the loco apart to install a decoder and clean and lube the gearboxes, and do other detailing like painting the vertical handrails and adding Reading drip strips over the cab windows. And turn the crew figures around so they face the right way for Reading :D
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I have four Proto 2000 GP7/9 locomotives. Only one had cracked gears and it cost less than 10 dollars and 30 minutes to fix.
.
No reason to avoid your GP60.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Most of my diesel fleet is Proto2000, and yes I have changed a few gears. Way back, LifeLike gave away lots of those replacement gears.
I have about 50 Proto2000 diesels, despite the occasional cracked gear, it is my prefered brand of diesel model.
And like Randy, I have picked up my share of bargains.
In the early days, LifeLike severely over produced these locos. That glut of product, combined with the cracked gear problem, put a lot of these locos in the bargain price catagory.
I am a DC operator, so nearly all my models are the DC versions, but a great many were purchased at prices like Randy describes. Stuff like ABBA sets of ALCO FA's for $120.......
Athearn replacement gears, part #ATH 60024, will fix any of the two axle trucks with split gears.
Sheldon
The 'fear' of cracked gears has put many P2K locos on eBay at prices far lower than other brand less detailed models. To my advantage. Passing because they might have cracked gears, which is a simple and cheap fix, is IMO foolish. GP60's are too new for me, but I do have a bunch of GP7s. The far more crudely detail Atlas/Rock GP7s go for $100 or so on eBay, the P2K ones are $40 or less. I'll take 2 of the P2Ks, plus buy some Athearn axle gears, and get 2 well detailed locos and have money left over, thank you very much.
My first Proto 2000 was an unused DCC E6. Although the cracked gear issue is mostly ascribed to the 4-axle units (at least from one period) my E6 had problem gears.
I then got into adding loco variety to my UP fleet and found that many P2K locos fit the bill in DC form and I started buying a number of unused (or slightly used) ones, many P2K and P1K, plus Kato, etc., to convert to DCC which has become a favorite project. I will take on any of the Protos knowing that I might have a cracked gear issue. It gives me more choices. I would (and will) gladly do it again.
So, before ignoring the GP60 (I do not have those) I would say just plan on replacing the gears. Many of the GP gear sizes are available on occasion from Walthers (current or from EBay) and/or the Athearn ones fit. It's a simple procedure to change them and it is adviseable to tear it down and clean / re-lube the gearing anyway, so it's little extra effort to get in "new" shape.
Recognize that some of the P2K and/or P1K gears and/or wheel sizes for other locos are different from the GP type that may be the most common. So you will want to know what gearing / wheel size (if changing axles) a particular loco needs.
I say go for it!
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
It's not a hard or expensive fix, if it needs done at all. Not everyone experienced cracked gears.
This thread may help
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/160710.aspx
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
I beleive Athearn makes wheelsets that can also drop in as replacements. Many well stocked hobby shops also keep a supply since the problem was so widespread and well known.
Because of the wheel problems those Proto2000 engines are often sold at attractive prices. If the loco is otherwise in good shape the cost of the wheel replacement might be modest and the end result is a good buy.
Dave Nelson
It's specifically mentioned here:
https://www.walthers.com/replacement-geared-driver-assembly-diesel-wheelset-pkg-2-for-early-proto-2000-r-bl-fa-gp7-9-18-20-30-60-proto-1000-tm-f3
I have my eye on a proto 2000 GP 60. I know there were problems with the gears cracking and was wondering if this loco was one of those or if maybe it was resolved when this particular loco came out. Anyone have any knowledge on this. thanks