|
|
Post by theprez on Jul 16, 2017 16:37:08 GMT -5
This is really weird, after a long time today i have chosen a MILW GP-38 (DCC) from the showcase to run a consist. I have three of them 2 DCC and one DC, plus others 2 C&W and SOO. The 2 MILW DCCed always had problems, very slow and not running good i never understood the problem, also in DC they did not run good. This time the movement was even worst than I remembered, I opened the loco and saw something strange, the chassis was deformed on one side and just touching it a little to move the decoder it literally crumbled apart, I mean the grey chassis... Quite shocked I took the second DCCed GP-38 and it has the same deformation on one side of the chassis, same weird crumbling effect of the chassis. The DC one did not move at all and guess what exactly the same deformation, this time I did not touch it to take a picture but one of the hook for the board fallen apart anyway. I think in one of the pic it is visible also a sort of deformation on the length axis of the loco, like slightly curved. The effect of what I am calling crumbling is similar to when rubber become hard losing its flexibility and falls apart just with small pressure of the fingers. The C&NW and the SOO are running good and I don't dare to open them. The loco in the foreground of the 3rd pic show the side with the deformation. The only difference is that the MILW locos and the other two were in different showcase and I did not uses them for a long time due to their bad running. Beside the bad perfomance I did not notice any deformation when I bought them, for sure they did not crumble apart since I manipulated them enough to position the DCC board. I wonder now if maybe they already had something wrong. What do you think, is it possible some sort of deterioration of the material of the chassis? Anyone experienced something similar before?    |
|
|
|
Post by shamoo737 on Jul 16, 2017 16:56:20 GMT -5
It's cookie crumbs chassis.
|
|
|
|
Post by markm on Jul 16, 2017 17:18:48 GMT -5
What you are seeing is Zinc Pest, a deterioration of the casting due to metal impurities. This is a known issue with the first production run of the GP38s. I would suggest you use the contact line of the AZL site to get this taken care of.
I'm a bit surprised to see this as AZL seemed to have replaced all the problem chassis in their distribution a while back.
Mark
|
|
|
|
Post by shamoo737 on Jul 16, 2017 18:54:53 GMT -5
I am still waiting for the replacement chassis.
|
|
|
|
Post by ztrack on Jul 16, 2017 19:12:35 GMT -5
Email me at rob@ztrack.com. We are working to get replacement chassis for those with this issue. The C&NW has a different chassis made from a different material.
Rob
|
|
|
|
Post by zdave on Jul 29, 2017 6:18:14 GMT -5
This is really weird, after a long time today i have chosen a MILW GP-38 (DCC) from the showcase to run a consist. This time the movement was even worst than I remembered, I opened the loco and saw something strange, the chassis was deformed on one side and just touching it a little to move the decoder it literally crumbled apart, I mean the grey chassis... What do you think, is it possible some sort of deterioration of the material of the chassis? Anyone experienced something similar before? I'm glad you posted this. I thought I was seeing things yesterday when I took apart a CSX GP38-2 I hadn't run in awhile. Yep, just like yours, the chassis started to crumble apart like a cookie. Rob, you have mail. |
|
|
|
Post by Rob Albritton on Jul 29, 2017 8:16:04 GMT -5
We have replacement chassis on order.
|
|
|
|
Post by shamoo737 on Jul 29, 2017 8:48:46 GMT -5
We have replacement chassis on order. Do you have a estimate time. I have some shelf queens. |
|
|
|
Post by modelwarships on Jul 29, 2017 20:01:02 GMT -5
You guys need to raise cain with the factory that produced these. There is no excuse for casting parts like these.
|
|
|
|
Post by zdave on Jul 30, 2017 13:25:59 GMT -5
We have replacement chassis on order. Thanks, Rob. I've also sent an email about my GP38-2 to Rob K. |
|
|
|
Post by martyg on Aug 14, 2017 11:11:44 GMT -5
Email me at rob@ztrack.com. We are working to get replacement chassis for those with this issue. The C&NW has a different chassis made from a different material. Rob Hey Rob(s) - Are/will dealers getting new chassis to replace the ones in their stock on an on-going basis or do we work with you if we buy an older one and then it has this issue? I've been thinking about buying one of the GT ones from someone. If I've read all these discussion correctly this issue is "possible" with every GP38-2 released before the 2016/17...correct? Or was it just certain roads for some reason. Thanks. Marty |
|
|
|
Post by ztrack on Aug 14, 2017 11:43:41 GMT -5
If you should have an issue, we will work with you directly. We are only supplying parts for those locos that have had a defective chassis as not all chassis are affected by the degradation. It can happen to any road.
Rob
|
|
|
|
Post by theprez on Oct 7, 2017 19:32:38 GMT -5
We have replacement chassis on order. Any news Rob? |
|
|
|
Post by railtwister on Oct 10, 2017 16:27:45 GMT -5
Not so wierd, actually. Just about every model train manufacturer has had Zinc Pest problems in their diecast parts at one time or another. One would think that with today's technology that would no longer be true, but it just ain't the case! Even brass trains can have Zinc parts, like driver centers and gearboxes, so beware!
Bill in FtL
|
|
|
|
Post by gerd on Oct 10, 2017 18:26:15 GMT -5
Zinc pest is a corrosion issue over long term, those chassis are just made a couple of years ago. They were brittle from day one, which suggest the wrong composition of the alloy. Zinc pest affected parts were sound and solid for many years before the corrosion caused by impurities caused the trouble.
|
|
