1946 Berkshire/Zinc Pest?

Looks to me like a paint issue. I know of no postwar Berkshires with ZAMAK 3 casting issues.

Can't really tell from the picture, but  looking at that my first thought is it be it looks like it's repainted. Not sure if that matters to you or not.

I'm about the same age as the engine.  I don't look that good!...but then I've been 'played with', apparently, a lot harder than this specimen!  (What's the saying re baldies?...'Grass doesn't grow where the action is'??)

Not ZP of the era, IMHO.  Probably paint and/or part cleanliness before painting issue. 

Here's what ZP did in the mid-30's...

From Dad's 1835...the engine of which had a steam cylinder casting that completely crumbled...needed replacement.  The drivers and trailing truck wheel flanges crumbled badly, needing replacement.

The tender, according to my memory of discussion with Dad, was in this condition within the first year he received it as part of the 366W set (about 1934).  Lionel replaced the tender with a brand new one which, to this day, is yet in perfect condition, no ZP apparent anywhere.

Nice looking 726.  If you're not the buyer, I'm sure someone will be...soon!

Just sayin'...

KD

Is there a point at which one can assume that zinc pest will no longer be an issue?  IOW, if it hasn't shown up for X number of years, is an item safe?

That’s not zinc pest. It’s gassing, a paint issue.

@Mallard4468 posted:

Is there a point at which one can assume that zinc pest will no longer be an issue?  IOW, if it hasn't shown up for X number of years, is an item safe?

I would suggest at least 10.  The hinges for the glass on the liftgate of my 2009 Ford Escape didn't start to crumble until 2019 or 2020.  I just replaced them two weeks ago when the glass threatened to fall off because it finally got bad enough to compromise their functionality.

Mike

BTW -- This example was very easy for me to analyze by looking for Escapes of the same style and vintage as my 2009 while driving around doing normal everyday things.  My rough estimate is that maybe 5% max of the Escapes of this vintage I've seen on the road exhibit zinc pest, and they're all of model years 2008-2013.  None on the older model (2005-2007); none on the newer ones (2014-present).  I think that this problem arose when production of the hinges was shifted by Ford to a new supplier, or by the existing supplier to a new plant.

Thanks guys....I'm guessing just a paint issue(Engine not a repaint or restoration---just a survivor). Appreciate all the responses. Enjoy your holiday!

That paint job is beautiful! I love the two tones of black and dark gray. How did they do the numbers on the cab? Did they mask an area around the numbers and then paint, or did they paint the entire cab and then reapply the numbers? Does this great paint add value to the engine, or does it make it less valuable?

John--The paint is original. The 'dark gray' is just lighting. Paint is uniform in shade. The numbers were rubber stamped after paint. A restoration or repaint imo would surely decrease value, at least to a collector. (I agree with Jim R regarding the bubbling......'gassing.')

Zinc pest was pretty much a non issue after WWII, most late prewar was ok such as 225E, 226E, the OO line ect.  But once mfg moved to the far east, we have started to see it again with trucks and couplers turning to dust, and even some whole diecast shells swelling and cracking.  One would think in modern times, companies could get the mix correct to prevent this.  But not so when it comes to the Chinese that like to cut corners to make a buck.  I also agree is a paint issue, probably been there since it was nearly new and not a big concern for a "toy" back then.   AD

Some 682 turbine frames are prone to zinc pest. This was 1952 production. I've replaced four.

@Johnsgg1 posted:

Some 682 turbine frames are prone to zinc pest. This was 1952 production. I've replaced four.

There was also a ZP problem with some 1963 era 2360 GG-1 power trucks .