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 Posted - December 01 2011 : 1:58:44 PM
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Hello All,
I am currently working on a project that involves a Tyco F7 shell made from what must be defective plastic and I was wondering if this is a common problem. In my particular case a one-square inch shard of plastic broke off the side of the shell while I was attempting to disassemble this locomotive, the crack appears to have started at the right side forward truck mounting hole and then spread to the the first porthole behind the cab. I repaired this damage by simply gluing the piece back onto the shell but now the pilot is starting to break apart. Is this shell a lost cause? I would like to know if anyone out there has had problems with Tyco equipment made with brittle plastic?
Scott
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Posted - December 01 2011 : 2:09:27 PM
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| hi scott welcome,all plastic becomes brittle as it dries out,some sooner than others,not sure tyco were made brittle,as they were not availible here in uk,will leave that answer to one of the experts who i am sure will reply to you ken
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Posted - December 01 2011 : 3:59:10 PM
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Scott, I know that plastic exposed to oils that aren't plastic compatible can become brittle, and I've seen a lot of Chattanooga boilers like that from the oil they used in the smoke unit. It might have been exposed to something, or simply from a bad batch.
The Tyco Depot
Edited by - NickelPlate759 on December 01 2011 3:59:36 PM
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Posted - December 01 2011 : 5:31:15 PM
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If the engine was stored in an attic with excessive heat it would baked the plastic and make it brittle.
Edited by - AF Kid on December 01 2011 5:32:07 PM
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Posted - December 01 2011 : 6:20:47 PM
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Judging from the fact that the plastic is the most brittle around the area of the front truck, it certainly is possible that uncompatible lubricating oil may have been thrown from the truck. Incidentally this engine came equipped with a plastic MU style power truck which does not show any signs of plastic degradation. I suspect however that the plastic used to form the powertruck's parts is a different from the type of plastic used to form the shell, that may explain why some parts are brittle while other parts are not.
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Posted - December 01 2011 : 6:52:54 PM
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The plastic MU-2 was made of Delrin, but the shell is styrene.
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Posted - December 01 2011 : 7:47:38 PM
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Hey Scott;
Welcome and do you need another Tyco "F" shell?
-Gareth
"A is A"
-Aristotle
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Posted - December 01 2011 : 9:48:39 PM
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No I don't think I need a new shell, I am going to save the salvageable parts for my parts inventory.
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Posted - December 01 2011 : 10:37:29 PM
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I've always found Tyco shells to be among the more durable ones ever offered by a major vendor. There are possible exceptions, but the F-unit isn't one of them. As others have said it was probably due to abuse / experience, or a random defect. That said, I have occasionally cracked a few... usually from sheer careless aggression or "impact testing".
The clear units recently discussed are a bit on the brittle side, though. Figure that's just the nature of clear plastic and Murphy's law 
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Posted - December 02 2011 : 09:01:22 AM
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or when the loco gets zinc rot THEN it'll crack the shell Like my Auto-Train loco was 
What does cause zinc rot anyway? 
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Posted - December 02 2011 : 2:16:44 PM
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Ben, impurities in the original batch of metal that crystalize over time, expanding and causing it to crack. It's sort of like reinforced concrete when the rebar starts to rust inside. The amount of impurities determines how far it will go; anything from mild crazing to complete disintegration.
It may have been a poorer grade of materials used, but I've also heard tales of shop dirt, cigarettes, etc. tossed into the vats of metal to dispose of them, which wouldn't do it any favors.
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