Proto drive shaft problem

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi all,

I wanted to know if anyone has had the same problem.

HO scale brand new from Walthers. No sound just striaght DC.

I received two Proto E8A’s that had a broken part in the drive shaft. One in the front and one in the back.

Walthers is great at working with me. They replaced the first, and the second is going back I think for repair because they do not have another in stock.

Since they were going back, I did not want to dismantle it and see what was the real problem, I just used a flashlight.

2

I’ve had broken drive shafts on two Athearn Genesis SD70 models but never on a P2K product.

3

I’ve had only one drive shaft problem with a Proto 2000 unit. It was an E7-A. Somehow the front drive shaft (two piece sliding yoke similar to old Athearn shafts) had come apart. The half shaft coming from the truck had slid out of the yoke on the other half shaft. It was a simple matter of realigning the front truck (it was off it’s mount) and sliding the shaft back into the yoke.

4

Maybe it’s just my time for bad luck.

I wish I could have taken it apart, but since it was going back, I dare not monkey with it.

5

Sadly several of the newer P2K locomotives has suffered this problem…I understand its not as rampant as the old crack gear issue…Walther will R&R.