Thanks for the advice Doc. I removed the covers and found all four axles are cracked. Walthers was very quick to reply. So I let them know the problem.
Hopefully the new axles will arrive quickly. It's such a great looking loco otherwise. I may need some help getting the trucks apart and the new axles installed. I post up if I run into a wall. Figuratively speaking of course.
Here is a cut and paste of the reply I received in case anyone else needs more details.
Shane,
Only Proto locomotives that were equipped with the "584408" geared axle are prone to splitting. These axles would split whether the locomotive was ever run or not, usually right out of the box; however, axles that did not split will not split in the future. This is primarily a problem with the earlier issued locomotives using this axle; the axle has been re-engineered and newer issued locomotives using this axle do not have the problem. The following locomotives are the "only" locomotives afflicted with this problem: BL's, E8's, F3's, FA1 & FA2, GP's - 7, 9-II, 9-III, 18, 20, 30 and 60. Only the axles that have split, 584408, for these locomotives are being replaced for free as a warranty replacement. No other Proto locomotive is afflicted with this problem. Let me know how many axles are split, include your mailing address, and I will ship you the replacements.
Sincerely,
Larry T
Wm K Walthers/Parts Dept
Hopefully the new axles will arrive quickly. It's such a great looking loco otherwise. I may need some help getting the trucks apart and the new axles installed. I post up if I run into a wall. Figuratively speaking of course.
Here is a cut and paste of the reply I received in case anyone else needs more details.
Shane,
Only Proto locomotives that were equipped with the "584408" geared axle are prone to splitting. These axles would split whether the locomotive was ever run or not, usually right out of the box; however, axles that did not split will not split in the future. This is primarily a problem with the earlier issued locomotives using this axle; the axle has been re-engineered and newer issued locomotives using this axle do not have the problem. The following locomotives are the "only" locomotives afflicted with this problem: BL's, E8's, F3's, FA1 & FA2, GP's - 7, 9-II, 9-III, 18, 20, 30 and 60. Only the axles that have split, 584408, for these locomotives are being replaced for free as a warranty replacement. No other Proto locomotive is afflicted with this problem. Let me know how many axles are split, include your mailing address, and I will ship you the replacements.
Sincerely,
Larry T
Wm K Walthers/Parts Dept