Zinc Pest Finally Strikes

@texgeekboy posted:

I agree 100% with @gunrunnerjohn re Chinese manufacturing. It is probably at a point in its evolution as the US was 100 years ago. It will eventually change but I don’t think I’ll be around to see it.

Cheapest Chinese manufacturing maybe 50 years back but the top tier manufacturers are right on top.  They do great battery cells and high pressure die casting if you spec it out and want to pay.  Huge amount automation.  They bought lots of western world knowledge and equipment for decades and added to it.  I speak from automotive industry and seen it with my own eyes.

I don't think model trains are "top tier"!

FWIW, not all of the manufacturing is ancient technology, this is the place that does most of my PCB work.

The GE lighting plant here used to do all their own castings, and then machining.  It was contracted out to China several years ago, and they learned that, while the casting and metal were top notch, their machining was not.  GE just bought the rough castings from them and machined them in house.  'General Electric' abandoned their diesel production, and also has gone south on their lighting now too, as the plant here is a shell of itself.  Israeli Prime Minister, Gold Meir was asked one time in discussions of military generals, if she could have two from the US who would she take.  Her reply...General Motors and General Electric.

@TrainCzar,

I'm sure there are segments that do really well, just like the US had in the 30s, but in general QA/QC is lacking.  I don't know anyone that says they hope the _(insert major appliance here)_ they want to buy is made in China.

Lehigh, did you find them? If not, in the search box type DD0000073 (no Hyphen).

Some years ago I met a man at a Christmas party and When he told me he was a metallurgist I had a dozen or so questions to ask him, one of them was about Zinc Rot. What he told me was that it is nearly impossible to find pure zinc and the most likely contaminant is lead and a high quality foundry will cook the zinc long enough with stirring that the lead is thoroughly diffused down to individual molecules and the prime cause of zinc casting failure was that the zinc was not cooked long enough with stirring to diffuse the lead. He did elaborate that atmospheric moisture plays a role in the process that once the micro fissures form that you can't stop the rot but you can slow it down. He suggested paint or the thin type CA to fill the cracks and keep air/moisture out.  The CA is hygroscopic it attracts and binds up with water molecules slowing electrolysis.  Heat does play a role in the electrolysis at -20degrees there is hardly any electrolysis where at 120 there is a great deal.  The Chinese figure once it's out the door it is no longer their problem. Cooking longer costs $$$ and lowers the number of parts a foundry can produce in a day.  Lionel should insist that the zinc in castings is cooked long enough to diffuse the lead and warrant the multi thousand dollar locos it sells against zinc rot.                   j         

@RSJB18 posted:

Well, after reading through this thread, looks like my time is up....

I've been working on a MTH Premier RS27 20-2166 (1997) that I bought from Trainz several years ago, because the trucks are under gauged and the wheels don't turn (also a documented problem). I was able to get the rear truck back in shape (barely), but looks like the front is a total loss. Judging by the pix posted here, I'm shopping for new trucks.

One sideframe snapped off when I put pressure on it to unscrew the pick up, and the underside frame broke as well.

WTB- MTH Premier 4-wheel diesel trucks.....anybody got a pair to spare? email is in my profile.

At least I can join the club now.

What's it called Zinc Pest Anonymous....

Bob

Bob, a lot of those Railking engines utilize the same truck, …..check out this Railking truck, …..looks to be spot on for your application, …..naturally, double check behind me ….these are available in stock at mthpartsandsales.com …….

Pat

@harmonyards posted:

Bob, a lot of those Railking engines utilize the same truck, …..check out this Railking truck, …..looks to be spot on for your application, …..naturally, double check behind me ….these are available in stock at mthpartsandsales.com …….

Pat

Close ... the Premier trucks have top mounts for the side frames ( look closely at my second picture). I think the pilot mount is different too.

Thanks though.

Bob

* NOTE* Looks like my OP that Pat responded to was deleted. I think I know why but I'll leave it at that. *

Bob, I'd consider looking at the RK truck a little closer.  It appears you might be able to warp that into fitting the sideframes.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Bob, I'd consider looking at the RK truck a little closer.  It appears you might be able to warp that into fitting the sideframes.

I posted on the WTB forum and found a pair. I have an extra pair of RK trucks for my S2 rebuild that I looked at first but they don't match up. I have enough to do without making a project inside a project.......

Thanks