Broken Truck on Atlas ALP-44

If it's die cast, j b weld can fix it. I am not sure if Atlas O would have to part but you can certainly eMail Bill Seratelli at Atlas O to find out.  Good Luck

Kevin, that is a loaded question and you'll receive many recommendations.

I have made repairs on trucks with a any good metal glue.  What I found that really holds up well is hot glue from a hot glue gun.  But you must work fast...   Try and clean the connection points of paint, if any.  You'll get even better adhesion.  Let it sit for at least a day. then touch up... SHould be good to go..

Thanks.

Pending resolving the eBay issue, I will consider both of those suggestions. 

Atlas shows both right and left side frames as in stock.  $2.25 per each.  You can order them online if you can decide which one is broken.  Based on your photo, I'd think it's the left one.  But that's just a guess.

Right Side Frame
Left Side Frame

Edit:  Actually it looks to me like the piece that has broken is the gearbox cover, rather than the side frame.  The cover is also listed as in stock at Atlas.   If so, this isn't too surprising to me.  The early gearbox covers for the sw8/9/1200 are made from the same plastic material, and are known to develop cracks.  It's especially a problem in the corners where the countersunk screws induce some thrust on the plastic, but it's not limited to that location.  Don't over-tighten the corner screws.  Better yet, replace the flat head screws with round head screws.  I believe you will find that the screws that attach the sideframes to the cover are of the same pitch as those that attach the cover to the gearbox (you can check that pretty easily).  Atlas does not list the side frame mounting screw for the AEM-7, but they do list the same screw for the sw8/9/1200.   A call or email to Atlas would verify that they are the same, although I'm 99.999999999999999% positive that they are.

With regard to gluing the parts back together, I believe the cover is made of some sort of slippery engineering plastic like Delrin, which can be quite difficult to glue.  If you want to go that route, look for an epoxy or other type of glue (perhaps one of the Loctite varieties) that is designed for those types of plastics.   Personally, I would just order new covers, and probably a spare pair as well while at it.  

Jim

Good morning Jim and great information. 

If you cant find one Atlas told me they will in the future will be making these again. I don't know if they will be the same because they said there are many advancements that will be put in new model. You can cast a new one using a silicone mold kit that you can buy in Hobby Lobby. Its not that hard just take another one off the other truck and duplicate. I made plenty of things and just painted it to the color that I need.

 Wow kevin, all very good recommendations'.. and suggestions .. I think personally go with new replacements, and or also making your own reproductions.  Making molds and casting your own parts is a big part of the hobby.  I have made many parts, and it is also fun.  I just didn't think of it as you mentioned gluing the broken part....  Might be worth while to cast extras, just in case they break again on you'...