I have a new Proto 2000 0-6-0 switch engine. It runs terribly right out of the box. Watching closely, I found that the crosshead on one side is slipping off the lower guide rail when it moves to the rear position. When it is forward closer to the piston it is in the correct position. See photo - arrow points to the (obvious) flaw.
Continuing my examination, it seems to me that the outside rod on the same side might be skewed outward too far. See photo below - circle denotes what I am talking about compared to the opposite side. Or is this just a trick of my eyes? It it’s real, could that be causing the crosshead to drop?
So, any ideas on an easy fix? It’s only a few hours old and this is how it came out of the box, so I am not going to tear it apart; I’ll send it back on Monday if you wise ones don’t have a solution.
That outward bend may be a trick of your eyes, anyway that is the eccentric crank for the valve gear and would not affect the crosshead on the main rod.
I suspect there is a missing or broken piece that should retaint he crosshead on the guides - compare witht he other side. Or it just may not actually even have ben properly palced on the guides. If the latter you can probably fix it by taking it apart enough to remove the cylinders and then thread it back on (make sure both sides get located properly). You shouldn;t have to dropt eh wheels out, keep the loco upside down if the bottom plate has to come off to remove the cylinders.
For the price of those locomotives, there’s no excuse for such problems – send it back to Walthers and ask for a replacement or take it back to the shop where you purchased it.
Check the other side. The crosshead should be trapped between the upper and lower rail of the guide and should not come out. The rails might be spread at the rear letting the guide fall out. Put it back between the rails, move it forward and see if you can pinch the back where it is spread just enough to keep it in when it goes back.
As much as it is a pain to have to ship it back, let alone the extra cost [:(!], you want what you paid for, and the P2K 0-6-0 is a beautiful runner normally, and really great on the eyes. I would get their agreement to have it shipped back, and then await a replacement. It will be worth it.
Not only that but because it is “rivited” together taking it apart will be a serious task not to mention putting it back together.
I would do as has been suggested, ship it back for a replacement…at their expense, or if you got it from a local dealer take it back to him and get another one. He made the money on it, it’s his responsibility.
