decapod,
I’m guessing you have recently updated to Internet Explorer (IE)9. IE9 and the forum software currently don’t play well together.
So, what you need to do is to click on the torn paper icon at the top of the page, just to the right of your URL or web address box. This will run an emulated version of IE8 and allow you to write to the forum. Other browsers such as Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome don’t seem to have any issues like that.
Tom
Tom,
Thank you for the hint, I wouldn’t have guessed it without your advice!
Now to my original message:
I have a Life-Like Proto 1000 RS-2 loco from the first production run, purchased in 2005. It’s been unused in the box while I was fooling around with hobby machining. Returning to model railroading I am now checking my old engines and rolling stock. The RS-2 trial run was negative: lights came on but the loco did not move or the motor run. I disassembled the loco and found cracked axle gears on all four axles, plus cracked ball couplings at both drive shaft universals at the worm gear boxes. Spare parts are not available at Walthers for these older models I was informed.
My quick fix was to Loctite the gears and ball couplings back to shape again and lubricate the loco. It now runs but sounds like a stressed makeshift concrete mixer so I definitely need to get new parts. I have located a couple of sources that offer spare axle gears for older Life-Like diesels such as the Proto 2000 GP7. My question is if the same gears were used on the RS-2 models as well? Or better still, can anyone advise me to a source for the RS-2 spares? All hints will be greatly appreciated.
AThearn 60024 gears fit Proto locos. They’re listed as for the SD40-2 and come 6 to a pack. Cheap, and work.
You DO need an NMRA gauge to replace the gears, the wheels do NOT press in against the stops, they will be too narrow and derail contantly if you do that.
–Randy
I got both a Proto 2000 GP7 and Proto 1000 RS2, how do I find out if their the ones with the gear issue? Theip both Toledo,Peoria & western if that helps. So far, I ve had no problems.
Randy,
Thanks for the Athearn tip! The gauge issue I already found out the hard way.
Santa Fe,
I can’t comment on the GP7 but regarding the RS-2 I was informed by the Walthers service rep they made a new production run after they took over from Life-Like. That new run had a modified drive system with improved components. You might want to check your purchase date, to get some idea of your loco’s age.
Hey Santa Fe all the way!,
You’ll know when the gears are cracked. The wheels will start to jump once the first gear goes. I like to keep the Athearn gears on hand just in case as i have numerous Proto 1000 and 2000 locomotives. They are a small investment and two packages will completely take care of three 4 wheel drive locos or two six wheel drive locos.
Take Care
The RS-2 is from Walthers’ production I believe and should not have any split gear issues, at least I haven’t seen or heard of any. Most of the gear issues are limited to first generation GPs, ALCo FAs and a couple others, all from Life Like/pre-Walthers.
The Life-Like RS-2 has an open frame motor just like the Atlas Alco S-2 and S-4 switchers, and the trucks are similar to Athearn blue box and RTR locos.
The Walthers RS-2 has a flat can motor similar to Atlas and Kato RS units, and the trucks are more like those of Atlas or Kato diesels.
Both locos run well, although the Walthers version runs smoother.
I stand corrected on the LL run of the RS-2.
I’ve just managed to find and get two old Athearn Blue Box diesels. Their axle gears will be used for spares on the RS-2 and eventually my other LL Proto engines. Thanks for the tip!
They both have problems with cracked axles. I replaced the PK 2000 axles with the ones from Athearn and they run great, but they do not fit the PK 1000 trucks, which also have cracked axles. If I find replacements I will post them here.