Tired of it? Zinc pest on Lionel replacement couplers.

@Johnsgg1 posted:

Made in America doesn't mean zinc pest free.

JohnsGG1,

Yeah, but if I read the # on your engine correctly, it is 65 years old. Possibly went through hot and cold attics, garages, etc many times over those years. Same with zinc pest on a 87 year old Hudson and other pre and post-war trains. They all provided many years of toy train fun, I'm sure. Not many other products last that long

With modern metallurgy, techniques, etc, there is no reason for this to be happening in "modern" train parts other than wanting to produce and sell a cheap and sloppy product.  Shame, shame, shame

What is surprising to me is that I have three of the exact same engine (6-18010 Turbine).  One boiler has zinc pest and the other two do not.

Same with the JLC GG1s.  Again, I have two of the same engine, silver 6-18374. One has the issue with the trucks and the other does not.

You'd think that if it one in the series would fail, all would fail.

Is there any environmental conditions that cause the casting to accelerate failing?

@rplst8 posted:

Here’s a question... Has any company ever built any model trains with equal or better quality and detail than MTH’s and Lionel’s most recent offerings here in the US?

Lets compare two models of the same locomotive, the ATSF 3460 class Hudson. You have my dad's made in USA Lionel 2055 and my Korean made MTH Premier model. In looks, running, and quality construction the Lionel 2055 doesn't even compare......

@DaveGG posted:

What is surprising to me is that I have three of the exact same engine (6-18010 Turbine).  One boiler has zinc pest and the other two do not.

Same with the JLC GG1s.  Again, I have two of the same engine, silver 6-18374. One has the issue with the trucks and the other does not.

You'd think that if it one in the series would fail, all would fail.

Is there any environmental conditions that cause the casting to accelerate failing?

That ain’t got nothing to do with it, .....it’s the batch of molten metal used at that particular run, ..and if the run is long, multiple batches might be the case,....it’s just the luck of the draw, one bad ingot, the batch will destroy itself, .....it’s impurities in the alloy, be it mostly zinc, or or it’s evil twin sister, Zamac,......

Pat

@DaveGG posted:

Is there any environmental conditions that cause the casting to accelerate failing?

This is a good question.  It seems with as random as it is there might be some other possible cause.

@Lionelski posted:

JohnsGG1,

Yeah, but if I read the # on your engine correctly, it is 65 years old. Possibly went through hot and cold attics, garages, etc many times over those years. Same with zinc pest on a 87 year old Hudson and other pre and post-war trains. They all provided many years of toy train fun, I'm sure. Not many other products last that long

With modern metallurgy, techniques, etc, there is no reason for this to be happening in "modern" train parts other than wanting to produce and sell a cheap and sloppy product.  Shame, shame, shame

I mentioned in another zinc pest thread, this was the fourth Turbine frame I had to replace. Your argument might be valid if other postwar castings were similarly affected but I've only seen it on Turbine frames.

@rplst8 posted:

This is a good question.  It seems with as random as it is there might be some other possible cause.

All kinds of good info on the subject, not just with model trains, .....all kinds of products with known zinc issues, .....the most common cause is impurities in the ingots, .....once casted, these impurities “gas out” ....the act is like ice forming in rocks ,......the ice is way stronger than any rock, so the rock crumbles,.....when the impurities gas out of the zinc, ....the zinc crumbles,.....

Pat

Keep reading can't be done can't make this that or the other thing here in the states. Can't match the quality or price from overseas.  Ross Switches has no problem doing it.