Diecast "rot"

I highly doubt that you will see an epidemic anytime soon. Both Lionel and MTH have had minor problems over the years. Both correct the problems ASAP even if outside of warranty. Keep in mind that this problem can remain hidden for years. There's nothing we can do to prevent it. This is my opinion.

Folks have reported and discussed diecast "rot" (often called "Zinc Rot" or "Zinc Pest").
The problem isn't limited to toy trains.
I have read about problems with recently made diecast model cars.

In the world of trains, folks have reported problems with Modern Era (made after 1969) tender shells, and truck parts.
The most recent items with which I have personal experience were the cast side frames on a 1970's EP-5, which was made in the USA.
Looking back to Postwar Lionel, a lot of the cast transformer control shafts that were used in transformers from the 1950's-60's suffer from zinc rot. However, I cannot think of any other postwar parts that have the problem.

I have 2 new (less than 10 minutes run time each) KLine GG1's that both had diecast rot on the drive wheel truck side frames. They crumbled while sitting in the boxes where the screws attached them to the truck bodies. Unfortunately Brasseur Electric Trains has none available, Lionel ones will require some modification to fit, Epoxy doesn't seem to hold, haven't had time to try J-B Weld or Loctite 380 yet.

Am hoping that Walter of RMT will bring in several dozen spare side frames with his GG1's that are allegedly being made from the old KLine tooling.

At this point i have one GG1 with unbroken side frames (soon to go on the For Sale board when i get a chance to photograph it), and one that i'll sell for parts.

jackson

I have had problems with both MTH and Atlas products made in the previous decade. MTH heavyweight passenger trucks and couplers, Atlas express reefer trucks, and Atlas locomotive couplers have all crumbled away. Both companies are aware of the problem years and will replace the items if contacted.

As Pappy said it may take years for other problems to crop up.

I have epoxied my MTH trucks but the epoxy (JB Weld) is stronger than the casting and it will just break somewhere else. The whole casting will be contaminated so its useless to try and repair it.

Pete

Maybe you should look into red rot, brass rot or bronze disease. I don't think brass is completely immune to problems.

It was pretty much history till our trains started coming from China.

None in our collection.

Brass is made of mainly copper and zinc. Our diecast problems are also called 'zinc pest' or 'zinc rot'. It is not necessarily just musical instruments that are affected due only to saliva. Water, humidity, and other factors can also contribute to problems as well as impurities in the materials used, just like diecast.  

We discussed this on a lengthy thread about 3 years ago:

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/t...ry-disturbing?page=1

I posted an explanation of the causes and science behind "zinc rot" and bad castings.

I have over 350+ modern era diecast steam locomotives and still haven't seen any casting issues. 

Boomer - I do not have a collection of modern (up to 30 years old) die-cast steamers as large as yours, but mine is substantial, and I have had no problems with them.

I have had, though, some experience with zinc pest on some RS - Williams, MTH and 3rd Rail trucks/couplers (you could practically see it crumble). Not sure about Lionel.

I know that this stuff happens, and when it makes your $900 Super Northern turn into a dead chicken with wheels, "not widespread" does not help, but, really, it does not seem to be widespread.

There may be a "batching" issue too - if you are the poor guy who bought 4 PW-style modern GG1's who's trucks were cast on the same day and all of them are crippled...ouch.

Some of my stuff, mostly RS, not locos, is in boxes, some always has been, and some may be turning to dust as we speak. But, so far, not much. 

Here's the thread on the warped frames that is common on the Weaver Troop cars.

Jim

I understand this is an issue with purity of the metal when they make a casting?

More impurities, etc.....  Big issues with Prewar... with designs not thinking that the trains would last 100 years!!

Being toys originally, a bunch of years life expectancy OK>

Why new trains have it... MMMMmmmmm!

I saw a 1990's RailKing PRR streamlined K4 with a really interesting looking swayback tender.  I was impressed that MTH actually replaced the tender shell for free, that was good service.

I have experienced zinc rot with the following items / manufacturers:

Weaver - Troop car frames - long discussion here about this problem.

MTH heavy weight trucks

Atlas Steel reefers -mounting studs for trucks breaking off of the frame.

Richard

Die cast sucks giant canal water!  Lionel screwed me to the wall on the UP turbine /water tender ...24C made around 2002. Ten years later - BOOM !   Gone.  Scott has the same piece in brass for more dough, but it will last more than ten years....more than a hundred !