In praise of brass gearboxes

[Max-U52]

Rest easy guys - you would have to run a tank for many miles before you would have to think about replacing any metal gearbox.

With all due respect, Tiggr, it sounds like you have yet to own a set of zinc gearboxes. I've had so many of them crumble on me it ain't even funny.

[Tiggr]

Sorry to hear that Max.
Which make of tank/gearbox were they ?

[Max-U52]

Pretty much any GB that comes with the zinc (pot metal) gears. Heng Long, Taigen, etc. The steel is much better but the brass is much quieter. Is that even a word? Quieter?

You've got a great railway, Tiggr, and I know it's a real blast. Just where are you, anyway? Did none of those tanks of yours come with zinc gears, or are they all that new? Most of those tanks now come stock with steel, but zinc was the norm for a long while, mostly before I became an RC Tanker (I'm now enjoying my fourth summer in the hobby, but have done static for about 45 years).

One of these days I really want a short point to point in true 1/16th scale in my park, but that will have to be almost totally scratchbuilt. I wonder if Rex Ross is for hire?