Cracked axle gears on Proto 2000

[logandsawman]

Can't believe I found this thread. My GP-18 was smooth on the test track when I got it from ebay and then when I got more more track done a few months later and put it on the track got this awful thumping sound like something binding in the gear box.

Took it apart and lubricated it , went on the level smooth but up the incline thumped a little again. Looks as easy as replacing the wheel sets. Some of the posts talk about taking the entire gear assembly with wheels off an old F-7 Athearn. I have one new old stock and wonder if anyone else has done this??

THanks, lasm

 

[trailrider]

Yes. If nothing else Athearn geared axles will substitute for the P2K parts. I've done it with parts supplied by my large LHS. Not sure of another source...

 

[logandsawman]

Thanks, trailrider, will try that tonight. lasm

 

[jwb]

Klein's also carries them.

 

[kbkchooch]

You can go with the Athearn 60024 gear package

OR

the Athearn 40029 wheel sets

Both available from Athearn, eBay and your local hobby shop !!

 

[logandsawman]

Thanks, Karl, for the p.n's. I tried replacing the Life Like (P2K) GP-18 with the wheelsets from a new old stock Athearn F-7 and they were a tad too tight in there to where it really struggled to turn them. They fit in the place but did seem a bit snug. I put the F-7 back together and ordered some other stuff (for the GP-18) from the dealer.

However, I do have some other "junk" stock I can tinker with with the information in this thread.

Thanks for your participation!! lasm

 

[logandsawman]

An update on this repair-- I ended up gettint the Walthers geared driver assembly, pn 920 584408, they went in real nice and the test run was smooth as silk.

It looks like this will be my favorite loco now, not only because it is Northern Pacific but also the loco has great detail and the GP-18 design is really cool, although it was not manufactured in great numbers.

I was able to install new headlights, too. One of the old ones was burned out, and the same ebay buy that I put in the buildings fit easily into the predesigned slot in the magnet.

lasm