I (luckily) don't have very many IM locos...several cab forwards and maybe some SP BW F-3's...and maybe some WP F-3's. I keep putting off checking them because of, well, fear of what I will find. I wonder if it is possible for someone to 3D print (in metal...they can do that now) replacement frames...?
Back in the day, I had this dream that IMR would give up on the mechanism part and just produce retrofit shells for Kato chassis. IMR did such a great job producing detailed shells in countless prototype schemes and road numbers but such a lousy job with mechanisms (see OP for exhibit a).
I had a similar thought but it was polyurethane cast chassis similar to Life-Like E units weighted down with tungsten carbide. Tungsten carbide can be purchased in small rectangular blocks suitable for replacing tips on saw blades.
Well I tried to dig out my IM engines and either I have put them somewhere I can't find them or the frame rot got the entire locomotive. I found a ATSF F-3 A&B (I didn't know I HAD a ATSF F-3 set) and it looks to be fine, but I know that I had at least one if not two SP FT or F-3 sets that have vanished. I guess its better not to know than to know for sure.
So after being away from N scale for quite some time, when did this rot problem with IM engines start and end?
It's an old problem that resurfaces from time to time.........IM had problems with their tunnel motors and SD45s......and apparently with some F units. I heard MT recently had some boxcar frames have the problem too.
Maybe the makers will do a retro with the frames and go back to plastic instead of Zamak like some have done with going back to wires. None of my old Life-Like frames have...you know... cracked, swollen, or fallen apart. Doug
