I just got two new Proto 1000 RS2’s. I purchased them from an online store. I immediately checked them out when they arived. This is the first Proto 1000 I ever purchased. I have a Proto 2000 SD50 that runs great so I expected the same from the 1000 series.
The first one I unpackaged ran excellent. I ran it for abut 10 minutes in back and forth at slower but varying speeds. It ran really well, very quiet and super smooth. Happy with the first loco, I packaged it back up to store away until I’m ready to use it on the layout.
I unpacked the second RS2 and put it on the track. It ran good too for about 2 minutes then started making a funny, wurring noise, not a squeal but it sounded like something needed lubrication or something was too tight. It was worse when running it in reverse. It also seemed to vary in speed with the sound. I took the shell off to see if anything was rubbing the motor or to see if I could find any obstructions but I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. With the shell off it sounded like it may be coming from one of the trucks gears but I wasn’t sure.
Sounds like you have one or more of the famous cracked gears on the axles engines. I have several Proto 2000 engines but have not had this problem so far. I understand that Walthers is very good about replacing the axles if you call them, otherwise I think Athearn axles will fit. I think they use the same axles in the Proto 1000 line. Jim
I didn’t want to send it back to the manufacturer but if that’s what it takes to get it right then that’s what I’ll end up doing.
I purchased Digitrax DH123D decoders to install in both of the RS2’s. I’ve used several of the same decoders in other locos with good results. It’s pretty small and fits in fairly easily. Soldering it in won’t be a problem.
I’ve received replacement axles from Walthers for my P2K GP-9’s. In my e-mail exchanges with Larry at Walthers, he indicated that the P1K RS units do not have this particular problem, because they use a different axle that is not typically subject to this failure. Of course, that doesn’t mean the part could never fail, only that it doesn’t fall into this well-known problem category.
It’s relatively easy to pop the bottom cover off the trucks and check the gears. If these are from one of the “blowout” dealers like Trainworld or M.B. Klein, they may actually be several years old, although they are still new-in-the-box. In that case, some lubrication might go a long way. If you do discover a cracked part, then I’m sure a quick call to Walthers will get another one in the mail. Walthers has been very good about providing support for Life-Like products since the acquisition.
Since I just got this loco yesterday and found the problem right away I called Walthers as suggested. I spoke with Keith. He said to send it to them and they would correct the problem.
He advised me to take the shell off, keep it and ship the chassis in the original box. I suspect all they will do is replace the entire chassis with a new or refurbished unit.