MTH Factory error on new engine

[heveaguy]

I recently purchased a new DAP diesel from a well known dealer.  This is a DDA40X (20-2980-1) which is a very large engine (25" long) with the UNION PACIFIC road name in large block letters on both sides of the shell.  However on one side the "P" is missing so it actually diplays "UNION  ACIFIC".  The space is there for the P, it's just not there.  I imagine I could have this corrected under warranty by MTH.  However I am wondering if this error adds or detracts from the long term value of the engine.  Does anyone have an opinion regarding factory errors like this?         

[Taranwanderer]

I am by no means an expert on long term value of trains. But just a thought: if, at some point down the road, you're hoping for this engine to build some value, how does a potential buyer know that the missing "P" didn't just happen from your 3 year old monkeying with it vs it being a "factory error?" You can tell him it's a factory error, but, unless there's more of them out there with the same thing going on, who's to know? I would think at first glance that it would detract from your value and you should have it fixed/replaced. But what do I know, I'm not a collector, I'm an operator!

[traindaddy1]

M.S.R.P.   $699.99   This is "out-of-my-league" !  

I 'play' with my trains so, if it were me, I would take it back and get a new one.  If, unlike myself, you don't mind the expense, carefully wrap up everything (engine, original box, paper work) and store it.  You never know!

[Anonymous]

Just my opinion but toy train collecting is not the same as stamp collecting or coin collecting. Since there is no way to verify the authenticity of the miss spelling it is up to you what to do with it. If it were me I would contact MTH and see what they would do for me.

[heveaguy]

Thanks for your opinion.

[wiz1500]

Does it look like there was a letter there?? I would think that it sure would be hard to fake that one. I cant see someone takeing a letter off and we not being able to see that it was there .. I would time stamp the thing with pictures and maybe have who ever you bought it from varify thats how you got it.. Hang on to it and see what happens...Hell I'll buy it off you if you don't want it...Buy the way did you no that a few of those got out with the wrong sound board in them? Is yours right?

[Anonymous]

This happens from time to time with all Manufacturers. MartyE had something similiar to a Legacy Chessie GP-30. Not sure what he did with it.

[lionelsoni]

If you should decide to paint the missing letter on, I just happen to have EMD drawing 8426597, "STYLING & PAINTING UP DDA-40X".  Needless to say, it's a rather large drawing.

[11th Street]

 "...However I am wondering if this error adds or detracts from the long term value of the engine.  Does anyone have an opinion regarding factory errors like this? "

 

1. There is a common saying: "Anything marketed today as 'collectible' today.' probably won't be tomorrow."

2. Anything sold today that is dependent on a circuit board/chip will probably not be worth more than scrap (sans electronics) 50 yrs from today.

They are disposable toys. Enjoy them as such. 

[cwburfle]

heveaguy

Does anyone have an opinion regarding factory errors like this?         

 

Upon close inspection, it should be obvious whether the "P" was never applied, or was removed post-factory. A post-factory removal will almost always leave some sort of telltale marks.

There are people who collect Lionel factory errors, so there probably are MTH factory error collectors For a long time Lionel factory errors were worth less than correct pieces. For a while factory error prices were quite high, but they seem to be settling down.

So, if you like the idea of having an oddball piece leave it along, and keep it. It might be worth something someday. If you want to see if anybody will pay a premium for it, put it on Ebay with a reserve. Or return it.

[Andrew Falconer]

From the video that I have seen, that final step of applying markings is done with a stamp that applies the paint. Either the stamper was dry or the letter was covered by something loose.

I wonder how hard it would be to silk screen on a new letter in layers of paint on a finished Locomotive model. 

Andrew

[sir james I]

There's so much to choose from these days, I don't see much of anything being of great collector value. Me I would ask for a new body shell.