I’ve been inactive in modle railroading for about 20 years. Back in the mid 90’s I bought an Arnold S2 switcher to model a prototype from a quarry where I worked.
Over the years in storage, the plastic greas on the drive wheels have cracked. The locomotive still runs, but makes a thump-thump noise as the wheels go around, and stalls easily at low speed.
Arnold seems to have changed ownershim several times and now has evidently disappeared.
Does anyone know of a source for parts from Arnold?
Arnold itself does not exist in its orginial form anymore (Hornby bought the company, but kept the name.) NWSL made special low pro wheel sets for this engine, and in general NWSL has a ton of different gears, so you should be able to find them there. Also, Atlas came out with their own S2 this year that has DCC/Sound if you want. Unless this specific model has sentimental value, I would get an Atlas S2.
A suggestion: Do you know how to remove the gear covers on the bottom of the trucks?
If You can remove them see if you can count the number of teeth that are on the axle gear, while you are add it check all the axle gears, you will probably have to remove the grease in order to do so. You can use alcohol to do that. See if the gears are cracked, when cleaned they should be easy to see. You probably will find one or two cracked, that would make the thumping noise and erractic running. Like I said earlier try to count the teeth on the gear and then give NWSL (Northwest Short Line) a call, tell them what you have Arnold S-2, cracked axle gears, number of teeth on gear and so forth. If they don’t have any, they will steer you in the right direction. Always better to call. Below is the info. Just click on it:
Thanks, guys. I actually went to the trouble of removing the wheels and cracked gear and tried to repair the craick with CA, but the repair didn’t hold. I filled out the spec form at NSWL and will also try calling them on Monday. I’ll also ask about the low profile wheels - the excessive flanges have caused me a problem or two already. All of my cars have been upgraded to low profile metal wheels.
I’m aware of the Atlas model, but the $$ are a problem ans the shipment evidently hasn’t left China for the US yet anyway.