I recently took 4 P2K locos off the shelf to be run for the first time. All were purchased a number of years ago. All ran well except that they all have a rotational type clunking noise…it sounds like there is a lump of some kind on the wheels but none are there. These are basically all new. 3 locos are GP-18s, one is a GP7. Would appreciate someone advising me what the problem is and how to fix.
I have heard that this was a major problem with a lot of P2K models of the same type, and that they might send you some kind of replacement part. I think it had to do with the drive system. I have GP9, but I have not run it yet, so I don’t know if I have the problem too.
Yup - Cracked axle gears. This is a known problem by Lifelike (Walthers). Contact the fine folks at Walthers and they will send you replacements free of charge.
Mark.
One or more axle gears are cracked. Take the wheelsets out and see if you can turn the wheels with the axles still in the gears. If you can, the gear is cracked and must be replaced. Walther’s will usually replace them, in many cases at no cost and no questions asked. Another fix is to salvage the axle gears from an Athearn BB loco. They’re a drop-in replacement.
jobfather,
It’s probably the proverbial “cracked gear” that some the older P2K locomotives were infamous for. All you need to do is replace the gear(s). From what I understand, it’s a fairly innocuous and straightforward procedure.
Call Walthers, tell them what you have, and they should send you free replacements. I believe Athearn gears will work for these, as well.
Tom
From the emails below cracked gears would seem to be a VERY common problem. Since all my locos are new I assume the cracked gears either were cracked out of the box or cracked immediately upon running. Can anyone advise why this problem is so prolific? I can try to get replacements from Walthers and fixing them…my concern is what is to prevent the problem from recurring???
Thanks to everyone who responded.
The problem was originally a design flaw from the manufacturer. The hole in the plastic gear was ever so slightly undersized. When the metal axles were pressed into the plastic gear, it stressed it to the point of failure. This problem has been cured with subsequent releases (and the replacements) so you needn’t concern yourself with it happening again.
Mark.