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Reply to "Just bought a Lionel 700e scale hudson"

My understanding of what the cause of zinc pest is has to do with the amount of zinc in the alloy. If the zinc ratio exceeds the solubility limit, the excess zinc accumulates at the grain boundaries of the molecular structure and causes the bonds to break down. This general topic was discussed years ago in my material science class and I posited that is likely what happens with our model trains.

i would imagine that the amount of excess zinc contributes  to the rate at which parts disintegrate which is why we see 10 year old modern train parts completely crumble while 85 year old models are very slowly self destructing.

700E has a very good explanation of why the model warps. The discrepant part that is growing is constrained in different places which prevents it from growing in a uniform fashion.

I seriously doubt it is possible to save or repair the parts that have warped. Maybe with heat, gentle pressure, and lots of time/patience but it would be extremely risky with a very high probablity of breaking the casting. I’d say either leave it be until it becomes a liability that will cause damage to the rest of the model. Or just replace the frame if you want to enjoy operating it.

Okay, so I have to make a choice, let it set and admire it on a shelf. Or swap the frame and run it. I figured this would be my only options, it's just too bad as this is a beauty of an engine. A U.S.A. made piece of Americana that at the time was the very best locomotive ever made from die-cast and from a great toy train company that made it. Also a personal project from the owner and founder this toy train company, Lionel. And made before world war II! I am learning allot by owning this engine, now I need to make some decisions... Thanks everyone!

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