Cutting locomotive weights

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hello model railroaders,

I have a proto 2000 blue box loco i have using a dremel to mill out some of the weights fir a decoder, its cutting easy enough, of course it makes a mess, i cleanup after cutting and wash up, is this stuff lead or lead free, just want to make sure its safe to be grinding this stuff

Thanks

2

There is no lead in these castings. Most of them are a zinc alloy. FYI, Proto 2000 were not Blue Box locomotives, Athearns were, so which do you really have?

3

Perhaps the OP refers to the fact that P2Ks come in a blue box…

I agree, there is no lead, the castings are a zinc alloy.

4

I have access to a Milling Machine & other than files, do not like to grind too much anymore. I always wash up just in case as well. I know that doesn’t really answer your question, but that is what I do.
I like the finished look & precise mounting when using a Mill & having a good plan & test fitting.

This is a Proto 2000 GP18 Chassis I worked on.

5

A hacksaw or bandsaw is good for removing large chunks and less messy. Finish up with a file or your Dremel.

6

thanks for the info, the one i have is a grey box, but older protos ii hadd came in a blue shaded box.

7

wow, what a great job!!! maybve i need a milling machine, the dremmel did a good job and was fairly clean, but damn that looks great

8

Yep, looks great. But first price a milling machine, then price a hacksaw…[;)]

If you’re careful, the hacksaw will do almost as good a job as the milling machine, but won’t look so classy. You’re going tp put a shell on it anyway, so what the heck.

Whenever you do work on the weights/chassis always a good idea to clean up well, because a tiny chunk of metal can really tear up a plastic gear.