Athearn Light Mike

[nachoman]

How common were the split gears on these things? I have some older athearn bluebox locomotives (late 1980s) that have cracked gears. I have begun to dislike split axle designs. On a diesel, it is less of a problem because should the gear crack it is no trouble to replace it (so long as replacement gears are available). On a steam locomotive, a cracked gear means re-quartering drivers and possible bent siderods. And if the gear plastic is even a tiny bit untrue, the drivers wobble. Call me old-fashioned, but I am much more trusting of steam locomotives that have one insulated drive wheel, one powered drive wheel, and a solid metal axle.