Atlas O Disintegrating Metal Bolsters

How insane.  I blew a ton of money collecting a ton of these cars and I started finding tons of cracked and bent metal on the under frames about a year ago.  90% of my Atlas reefer collection was never run.  And need I remind you these cars sold at a Lexus price.

Fooled again by the cheap process of manufacture.

John, I'm wondering if Atlas had any suspicions that this may happen. By now they should be aware a problem exists with their metal frames, etc.

Here is an article on Zinc Rot that I just found in my library. I forgot it was there.

 

 

Phil, Yours are done... Doug, yours are too...

 

Thanks,

Mario

Been telling you guys about failing details on the Atlas cars.

Heavy old obsolete cars without interior floorboards or opening doors.

 

All 4 of my AAR 40' box cars irons and ladders have crumbled just sitting on the shelf.

I have since replace all the broken parts with plastic and aluminum fittings.

They have not been able to be competitive in quality or pricing. I give them 2 more years in O unless something changes. 

 

 

Lest we think this is just an Atlas or MTH problem, I've had knuckle couplers disintegrate on my Lionel I-12's  as well. This is an industry-wide Asian production problem.

I-12's,wow?

Which ones?

 

 

From what I've seen first hand an heard it appears most of the Asian produced diecast metal parts fail due to the impurities in the metal. Who knew? 

SIRT: If my memory is correct, I believe it was on one of the original release red ones - #2624(?).

Thanks, good to know. I own the blue B&O and Chessie.

No issues from the later supplier.

Sure would like to see another B&O red with white lettering.

Mario,

 

I could use two sets of these bolsters. My email is in my profile. Hope to hear from your .

 

Thanks,

Richard Gonzales

Mario,

 

I have a need for 12, is it possible to have you print them for me as well.

 

email is in my profile.

 

Thank you in advance.

 

Kevin 

Unfortunately, due to lack of interest, I'm no longer making 3D printed parts.

I'm finishing up what I have for friends, but I will only be using future production for personal use.

You can get the from Shapeways.

https://www.shapeways.com/shops/gandyman

Thanks,
Mario

Sorry to read. You offered a great solution. The Muffin arrived too late. 

I just bought off of eBay a brand new in the Box never been run Atlas O Swift Reefer that was put out a few years back. 3 of the ladders going up the side were completely disintegrated. I have also noticed on a lot of my other Atlas cars that the bottom step runs disintegrate if you just touch them now. Does anyone know where I can get replacement plastic ladders for my Reefer?

Mario, Your shims are awesome. I wouldn't give up on making them just yet. Once people try them, its like an addiction, they will have to put scale couplers on their whole collection. I probably have 100 more cars to go. That means I need 200 more shims.

Right.  I haven't looked at any of mine yet.  I will probably need a bunch.

Norm

 

Mario,  I still haven't received them along with the shims for the Lionel reefers.

Excellent job on those replacement bolsters!