penn central 8576

I think you've hit on the problem.  Definitely looks like a '70s product.  The gear looks to be brass, but it may be the lighting that's tricking my eye.  You can probably fix it yourself if you can buy a new motor truck complete assembly.  I've never tried pulling wheels and changing the axle gear myself.  I leave that to the experts.

its definitely plastic.  where can I find a new assembly, any ideas would help. I seen a few on ebay but afraid to buy the wrong one. would there be a parts list breakdown somewhere. I looked last night but could not find one. a part number and I will order it as I want to keep it running. my father in law worked for penn central and it sentimental to my wife.

must65pny1 posted:

its definitely plastic.  where can I find a new assembly, any ideas would help. I seen a few on ebay but afraid to buy the wrong one. would there be a parts list breakdown somewhere. I looked last night but could not find one. a part number and I will order it as I want to keep it running. my father in law worked for penn central and it sentimental to my wife.

You can e mail Chuck Sartor (profile member) he sells parts and does good repairs. His e mail is in his profile. That is a mid 70s MPC product.

I have no hesitation in recommending Chuck Sartor for parts and/or repairs on this one, either.

TRW

I have emailed him thanks.

Here is the parts breakdown for the motor truck, pages 15-32 and 15-33. The worm wheel is part# 8010-115

The Train Tender has the part in either plastic or a brass replacement.

Larry

Email sent, thanks guys.

Changing that worm wheel will require disassembling the factory staking either on the motor frame or the truck sides, and having access to a wheel press or jury-rig.

The entire motor truck assembly, 8030-100, is readily available affordably as NOS new-old-stock.

I like the idea of the brass gear so I don't have to worry about it again. but a new one be just as good. on the fence about this. waiting for chuck to respond to my email. thanks all for the help this is making my day that I can find these parts.

I'd suggest buying a different chassis with the separate 2028-100 motor and truck. Something like this: (please remove link if not allowed) https://www.ebay.com/itm/LIONE...0:g:dkAAAOSwOIlb9Ehk

This is the setup used on all Postwar and the later "high end" MPC/LTI/LLC GP7/GP9s. It's stronger, more durable, and smoother running that the setup your GP7 has. I avoid that combination motor/truck like the plague. Just put your current shell on a new chassis and enjoy. 

must65pny1 posted:

I like the idea of the brass gear so I don't have to worry about it again...

Proper maintenance with today's modern synthetic lubes would likely eliminate that concern. I have several of this type of diesel with many many hours on them and no failures yet.