MTLGP/9GP35

The biggest problem in maintaing GP35?Gp9s is the dreaded occurence of the flying spring which often results in an inoperative locomotive or a cobbled repair.

But this situation is "no more".

They are now available from Zscalemonster at 35 cents per pair. I just ordered 6 pair. Now installation of DCC decoders and maintenance can be undertaken without any more than normal concerns.

Thank You MTL!!!

Cliff

Folks, the spring is so easy NOT to loose, that this issues sort of bugs me a bit... All you have to do is keep you thumb over the spring while either putting it in or out... its that simple. I've put in drop in decoders at train shows with a tooth pick like this, and never lost a apring... tweezers make the job a piece of cake, but this is realy not an issue.

More commonly i find that the two motor tabs under the AZL board are far more fickle, and sometimes need a bit of reshaping to keep them from shorting.

Tony B..
Wasatch Z Club:woohoo:

Tony,
Like you,some members of our club have "miracle fingers" and "acute vision"
which allows them to perform many operations which are sometimes troublesome for others.
I have installed many DCC boards, usually without difficulty, and handle the springs confidently with a GOOD pair of tweeezers but once in a while have lost springs and have had to beg for replacements. Michael Hilliard uses his thumb, as you do, and has never lost a spring but my thumbs seem to be too opaque to allow me to do so.

I am very happy that MTL has made them available and I can now maintain an inventory of spare springs. Just in case!!!

Incidentally, I have read about difficulties in installing Drop in Digitrax Boards
in that mounting notches must be adjusted to make them fit. I have found that a flat diamond coated needle file works better than ordinary files for this.(they are cheap too)
Cliff

Does anyone have disassembly instructions for the MTL GP35's?

The instructions are included on the label/piece of paper that comes in the box with the model.
Toothpicks or similar to free the body from the chassis from underneath.

This is a good read if you want to take the chassis apart.

www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?t=93727&highlight=gp35+worm+gear

Chris,
If you really want to make it easy to get the shell off without fighting to get two toothpicks into those tiny slots with the trucks in the way, try removing the two brass screws that hold the truck on, remove the truck and you now have all the room in the world to insert the toothpicks. Even if the axles fall out, just be careful to place them back into their respective places without bending the wheel wipers.

I discovered this one day after having an especially difficult time getting the toothpicks in the right places. The first one is easy, but then the truck is pushed to one side making it near impossible to insert the second toothpick.

Try it, you'll like it.
Loren:)

Good suggestion Loren