and my rough patch continues... zinc pest now.

Joe, it looks like a good candidate for a fixed pilot conversion.  You add the spacer and attach to the frame, and it’s better than before.

Joe, It sounds like you just go outside and sit in the middle of the lawn for the rest of the day. Nothing is within arms reach and it will be impossible to break anything else today!!

Dear Joe,

Sorry to learn of additional issues with some of your trains as I can only imagine the pain you and many others are experiencing.

Looks like MTH is shutting down in the nick of time - as some of its products are having issues staying together, thus not having to address the issue.

Unfortunately the owners like yourself won't have the ability to request replacement parts much longer.   

Looks like a great business opportunity for someone to go into 3D printing of replacement parts.   

@Jeff78rr posted:

Joe, it looks like a good candidate for a fixed pilot conversion.  You add the spacer and attach to the frame, and it’s better than before.

I would agree, but....

read H1000's suggestion. It maybe better? I ain't touching a thing....

I'd drill it but..... I'd drill my hand maybe?

It would then fall off? The pilot that is.

or ground out and fry the board set? sounds impossible right?

I got similar problems like yours Joe. Maybe somebody with a 3D printer could start fabricating them out of plastic and make some nice money.

I think Thor is our best hope.

Thor’s 3D printed pilots on MTH GP35 | O Gauge Railroading On Line Forum (ogaugerr.com)

I have an MTH VO1000 switcher and will check it to see if I have the same problem.  Parts from MTH may be difficult to get.

Now I get what Scott means in his Sunset 3rd rail ads where he says "Made in forever brass".

Just recently noticed my Lionel GG-1 trucks are crumbling.

Speaking of a zinc pest problem, here is how I solved one of mine.  For just $200 bucks I got a new shell and apparently the last one in stock.

@Bill DeBrooke posted:

Speaking of a zinc pest problem, here is how I solved one of mine.  For just $200 bucks I got a new shell and apparently the last one in stock.

Yeah but you just have to hope it wasn't from the same batch, just like the two I have with zinc pest.  Both at the same place, where the eccentric crank goes past the skirt.

Gene Anstine

Unfortunately, a "new"  one may not be a guarantee of freedom from zinc pest! :-(

I checked for you Joe, I got boat loads of MTH pilots, but none for a VO that I could tell,.....I was hoping to have a winner, but nothing I have here looks like a VO....

Pat

@Tinplate Art posted:

Unfortunately, a "new"  one may not be a guarantee of freedom from zinc pest! :-(

But at my age I will probably be dead before this one has a problem.

At 78, I know the feeling! :-)

What years are the worst for the PEST ?

@Bill DeBrooke posted:

But at my age I will probably be dead before this one has a problem.

That reminds me of a Tee-Shirt I saw advertised lately.  It says "don't p*ss off old people.  The older we get the less life in prison is a deterrent."

Alan

@Dallas Joseph posted:

What years are the worst for the PEST ?

It has nothing to do with any year. Look through the archives for more information on zinc pest.

The problem typically involves subcontractors for specific models not adhering to best practices in zinc alloy castings, usually in terms of mixing in too many alloy impurities or sometimes improper production steps (such as cooling time).

My personal issues have been with Williams GP pilots falling apart. Fortunately, they were pretty easy to replace. Now I’m just waiting for them to do the same.

Otherwise, I’ve been pretty lucky  

Alan