I agree with John. If you review the forum postings going back years you’ll see the problems discussed have mostly involved swelling and eventual disintegration of components in modern pieces.
In fact, it has been documented so well here that any other conclusion, frankly, shows a lack of insight about the problems. Or, at least, a myopic conclusion that failed to take into account all of the facts.
Also, the problem of zinc pest dates back to American production of our trains into the 1930s. Zinc pest, or zinc rot, was what led to the development of the newer casting alloy Zamac in the 1950s. Mantua, for one, heavily marketed its use of Zamac to reassure buyers of its HO products during that time.
My American Freedom Train GS4, produced in 2002 by MTH, clearly is showing swelling, which is why it is currently sporting a wavy appearance. GSBOB confirmed this in his post to start this thread.
Also, GSBOB, I would love to get the name of the guy who is making replacement skirts. I will want to refurbish my model, since it is one of my favorites.
