I’ve got a P2K GP-9 which has the well-known LifeLike cracked gear problem. I’ve contacted Walthers, and they responded with an e-mail saying they would send me the repair kit free of charge, but they are currently out of stock and wouldn’t get any until April. Well, I can live with a noisy engine until then.
But how about my engine? If I continue to run it, will I damage anything else inside? Or will it be better-than-new when I put in the repair kit?
You can also use Athearn axel gears (all Athearn BB locos used the same axle gear, except the old metal sideframe locos from the '60s and early 70s). The P2Ks were clones of the Athearn gears. They won’t be free though.
I wouldn’t recommend running that loco in it’s present condition. You risk breaking or chipping teeth on the idler gear.
MisterBeasley…you don’t have to wait at all. I just called my LHS (Happy Hobo Trains).
Kevin says to use the AThearn axle sets, as they’re identical and are normally used as the replacements for the P2Ks.
The Athearn axle sets, by themselves are not readily available…but the locomotive wheel sets that include the axle are. LHS’s should have these in stock. They’re only about $1.50 per set.
So…buy the AThearns, carefully pull the wheels off of the axles and install your P2K wheels instead. Then, have your hostler park your locomotive on your shop’s ready track for her next assigment! [:D][C):-)][tup]