Check Your Older Tenders.....

Just curious, but can this happen if the piece of equipment is on a shelf, not in its box in an attic or basement? I have a few locomotives on a shelf don’t want this to happen to them.

In pic number 4.  That is an inside shot showing the side separating from the top.

A couple more pics.

NS FAN - I believe that if the impurities are present from the manufacturing process, then the pest will present itself at some time.  It is not common, at least not in my experience with newer items.

Seems more common now than with prewar, and the 700 Hudson did have those problems.  Too bad.  Automobile door and window handles seem to last.  Did you know that restaurant syrup dispensers are die cast?

Lionel should use LA Die Cast.  Their stuff does not explode.

NS6770Fan posted:

Just curious, but can this happen if the piece of equipment is on a shelf, not in its box in an attic or basement? I have a few locomotives on a shelf don’t want this to happen to them.

The so-called zinc pest is a chemical process caused by a contaminant - lead, for example - in the molten zinc. It may be present in the metal or contaminated tooling. It is not caused by or cured by external conditions and cannot be stopped. Or started. It may be limited or complete in its damage. 

This was common in the 1920's and 1930's, then understood and conquered by good "hygiene". When manufacturing largely left the US, the problem returned. It did rear its head in US products (and others) even after the cause was understood, but it became rare.

The lead contamination has usually been traced to recycled lead/zinc batteries. Manufacturers too often look for the immediate savings of using cheaper materials rather than look a little further to the erosion of customer trust in their product. 

The problem isn't helped by companies who outsource their manufacturing without proper oversight, nor from those customers continuing to buy substandard product.

With the constant resurgence of this topic, maybe it really is time for someone to offer plastic-bodied steam locos in 0 gauge as other scales do.

Maybe a smaller producer such as Menard's could be the first to try?

NS6770Fan posted:

Just curious, but can this happen if the piece of equipment is on a shelf, not in its box in an attic or basement? I have a few locomotives on a shelf don’t want this to happen to them.

It sure seems like the majority of zinc pest posts involve something stored  for a time that crumbles when its removed from the box.

All the more reason to get those trains outta the box and run 'em.

Oh my. So sorry to see that. I would hope  they find some way to check the die cast material before sent to production.   

This does not happen to SOO LINE steam locomotives, because there are no SOO LINE steam locomotives in O scale.

Andrew

NS6770Fan posted:

Just curious, but can this happen if the piece of equipment is on a shelf, not in its box in an attic or basement? I have a few locomotives on a shelf don’t want this to happen to them.

It is caused by impurities in the metal casting. Where and/or how the equipment is kept has no bearing on it. The only reason people are saying to use your equipment is that if it does crumble eventually, you'll have gotten something out if it. If it's just sat in a box for 15-20 years, it's a complete loss.

Glad I saw this before going to bed tonight.  Gonna check my four, make that five, water tenders in the morning.  Thanks for posting, sir.

Still have the military cars to fix after the zinc pest problems with them.  Sigh...…..

Jesse  TCA  12-68275

This is a shame. I read that a lot of the problem is the percentage of recycled metals added to the mix in Asia, but I really dunno. I wonder if made in the USA metal and manufacturing fares, or would fare, any better?

A lot of prewar had these issues as you know. BUT, I don't recall, nor have I had any issues, with postwar production.

Anyone have any zinc pest issues with postwar Lionel?

I agree with MAGICLAND. 

Don't keep your purchases stored away, make use of their play value, apparently, before it is too late

Do the Lionel Legacy SD60E’s (2015-16) and TMCC (2003) GP30’s have issues with Zinc Pest in their trucks, or has it not been reported? I have both and sincerely hope the do not...

OK, checked 4 out of 5 aux tenders, need to locate other 6-38007 black aux tender.  So, two out of four checked had zinc problems.  One 6-38008 grey aux tender had broken handrail posts, only at the top of the ladders, on both ends.  These can be easily fixed, and was only problem found.  The 6-28087 yellow up aux tender was the worst of all.   It had a couple broken handrail posts, but both sides show evidence of zinc pest issues under the yellow paint.  It has not disrupted the paint layers, but does exhibit "bubbles" beneath the finish paint coats.  The remaining black and grey aux tenders inspected, one of each, have no observed problems.  Now, to find the remaining black tender, the one with most running time.  Don't know of any, but, if there was a method to inhibit the zinc pest advance, a reconstruct of the aux tender sides is possible.  Wouldn't be original, but it isn't now, either, is it?  Well, not in a good way...….

Jesse   TCA  12-68275

No - no hope, once it starts.  A brass repro (or a replacement casting) is your only hope.

Bob2...    Yeah, that is how I take it, but can only hope it progresses no further.  I may be limited to only black and grey aux tenders, have the ruined yellow sitting in the shop's spare parts side track!  After 17 years, can only hope this is the extent of the problem.  As with my Weaver troop cars with zinc problems, have not found any more among the remaining 7 in my military train consist.

Jesse   TCA

I purchased a 6-28087 NIB somewhat recently and was astonished to find it infected with the zinc pest. It is runable for now, but very disappointing that something so new is affected by causes identified and remedied 80+ years ago.

It's enough to make a grown man cry. ...

What A Bummer