Thanks, Roy. I called and talked to MTH’s parts people. The drive block is out of stock for this locomotive and nothing is on the horizon in the way of more parts. She said that if MTH did a new version, the drive block would be upgraded to PS-3, requiring not only the drive block, but new motor, and new electronics.
My service tech is disappointed, but they will take the locomotive back, and I will have to settle for a different Milwaukee Hiawatha. The same unit is on eBay right now for the same price I paid, but I will not take a chance on another one - zinc rot is an epidemic with this one.
The gal at MTH put me on a list of people with the same problem with the idea that if MTH produces the locomotive again, they will send us all a notification. So, you know that this was a problem with the manufacturing process that probably didn’t show up until several years after the run was sold out.
Have a blessed day.
Jerry
