Atlas S2s splitting their own axles?

[coosvalley]

So, my Atlas S2 (DC) had developed a hitch in it's getup. I figured it was a loose piece of ballast that had found its way into the gears, so I took the offending truck apart. This loco has not seen more than 10 minutes of run time. the photo shows what I did find. I contacted Atlas, and replacement wheelsets are not available, but whole trucks are(for 8.95 ). Not exactly encouraging me to purchase any more  . I figured that they would just throw a wheelset in a bag and send them, but I guess I need to get out the credit card to keep my basically new locomotive in operable condition I do have another S2, with many more hours of run time, and it is fine so far..

So has anyone else here had this problem, or is this a fluke?

[peteski]

That's not good!  I had mine since the initial run and last time I gave it a tuneup about 6 months ago I didn't see any signs of split axles. I hope this is just a fluke.

When you contacted Atlas, did you include this photo? I would have also thought that they would send you a free replacement wheelset (or at least the plastic axle).

[coosvalley]

When you contacted Atlas, did you include this photo? I would have also thought that they would send you a free replacement wheelset (or at least the plastic axle).

Actually, yes, I did.

[ednadolski]

... is this a fluke?

Hoop stress.  The old RC GP9s with Weaver drives were known for this.   The axle basically is too large for the plastic sprocket.  Yes, it's a defect.

Ed

[Point353]

It might be worth asking Atlas if the the plastic geared axle part is common to any of the other locos for which wheelsets are presently in stock. Then you could buy just a $2 wheelset and swap out the broken geared axle with the one from the new wheelset. Of course, to keep you as a valued customer, Atlas really ought to disassemble an S-2 truck and send you either the geared axle or the entire wheelset free-of-charge.

[Doug G.]

This has happened throughout N scale history. Why engineers think they can get away with stuffing a metal axle into a plastic sleeve/gear and escape failures, I don't know.

Same with "self-lubricating" gears.

Doug

[Chris333]

Swap in some old Arnold wheelsets. 

[coosvalley]

It might be worth asking Atlas if the the plastic geared axle part is common to any of the other locos for which wheelsets are presently in stock. Then you could buy just a $2 wheelset and swap out the broken geared axle with the one from the new wheelset.

I'm pretty sure these are unlike any other Atlas diesel.

Of course, to keep you as a valued customer, Atlas really ought to disassemble an S-2 truck and send you either the geared axle or the entire wheelset free-of-charge.

I gotta say I'm pretty bummed about this. These are not some out of production loco, a run was just released, and some are still in stock at the usual online suppliers. I can't get wheelsets for this loco, really? If parts are this hard to get NOW, what will things be like once they've been out of production for a while?

I am also surprised at the response I got from Atlas, as I've never been asked to buy something that was defective.

I am also concerned that the other axles may end up doing this in time, but only time will tell. But my S2 purchases will be on hold until more is known.

[peteski]

Yes, this is a common problem in model railroad and toy industry in general.  The Bachmann white nylon axle/gear were especially prone to splitting, and I have seen this on many other models including Arnold, Minitrix, and Roco. Even Kato GS-4 driver axles split, and so do the universal cups on some of their models. Then there are those infamous universal coupling "donuts" splitting in certain Atlas models.

But IMO that sill doesn't make it right for the model company to just tell their customer to buy a replacement truck.  I'm surprised since Atlas usually goes above and beyond what is a customary customer service in assisting their customers.

The truck design (and gears) are unique to this model and not used anywhere else by any other manufacturer. Note the rather small gear size.  Good part of this design is that the gear is fully hidden by the bottom truck cover to protect it from debris, but that also makes it unique among other designs.

[eja]

Bummer,

But I am confused ( as I often am). 


You said it is new.  Why not just send it back for a warranty repair or replacement ?

[Doug G.]

I just don't understand why they keep doing the same thing over and over when they could design it so the plastic axle inserts into a hole in the metal  axles like on the Con-Cor PA's. Some of those are 50 years old and still good.

Doug

[coosvalley]

Bummer,

But I am confused ( as I often am). 


You said it is new.  Why not just send it back for a warranty repair or replacement ?

I said it has less than 10 minutes of run time, but it is from the first run, which I believe makes it almost 2 years old. And the reason I won't send it back is that I painted it myself. It was a Boston and Maine loco, but I was not impressed with the stripes, so repaint it !

[nkalanaga]

If I had the money, instead of buying a replacement truck, I'd buy an entire locomotive.  Any roadname would do.  Then I'd have plenty of spare parts for the future, regardless of what broke.

And, yes, I also can't understand putting a metal axle in a plastic gear.  As others have said, that's been a known point of failure ever since plastic gears were invented (1940s?), and not just for model locomotives.

[MK]

Can you call Atlas again and "talk to someone else"?

[Point353]

Or contact "Atlas Paul" on this forum.