At this point, I think this horse is good and dead.
Bob Keller
trainrat "It appears you are being a bit over reactionary and a bit unreasonable." You think so? What if it was YOUR transfomer and it was all you had? Would YOU go out and buy another $450.00 transformer so you can run your trains? Or would you just walk away from your trains for months, maybe longer, until Lionel FINALLY gets the parts and gets around to making some new circuit boards? Maybe Lionel KNEW they had problems with these, and I am inclined to believe that because I have heard of several more that have blown? Maybe they SHOULD HAVE been ordering parts a while back instead of just blowing it off? Or could it possibly be that Lionel just figures that the transformers are like other electronics and just throw aways? It appears to me that Lionel did nothing until enough people starting complaining. Certainly would NOT be the first time they did that. Remember the CW-80 's? They are STILL replacing those! With what new trains and equipment cost's I do not think it is unreasonable to expect BETTER! Roger
"It appears you are being a bit over reactionary and a bit unreasonable."
You think so? What if it was YOUR transfomer and it was all you had? Would YOU go out and buy another $450.00 transformer so you can run your trains? Or would you just walk away from your trains for months, maybe longer, until Lionel FINALLY gets the parts and gets around to making some new circuit boards? Maybe Lionel KNEW they had problems with these, and I am inclined to believe that because I have heard of several more that have blown? Maybe they SHOULD HAVE been ordering parts a while back instead of just blowing it off? Or could it possibly be that Lionel just figures that the transformers are like other electronics and just throw aways? It appears to me that Lionel did nothing until enough people starting complaining. Certainly would NOT be the first time they did that. Remember the CW-80 's? They are STILL replacing those! With what new trains and equipment cost's I do not think it is unreasonable to expect BETTER!
Roger
lionroar88 It doesn't matter what YOU consider support. When Lionel drops support of an item (ie the TMCC command base and CAB-1 Remote) they release an announcement. You have been informed that there is a lack of available replacement components, they are on order from Lionel's supplier, and as soon as they come in they will be made available. Simply because they removed the part from their website doesn't mean they have discontinued support. They most likely did this to keep people from ordering the part and then contacting them to see when it will be delivered. This makes sense when they don't KNOW when the parts will be available, they just know that they will and when they are the part will be relisted.It appears you are being a bit over reactionary and a bit unreasonable.
It doesn't matter what YOU consider support. When Lionel drops support of an item (ie the TMCC command base and CAB-1 Remote) they release an announcement. You have been informed that there is a lack of available replacement components, they are on order from Lionel's supplier, and as soon as they come in they will be made available. Simply because they removed the part from their website doesn't mean they have discontinued support. They most likely did this to keep people from ordering the part and then contacting them to see when it will be delivered. This makes sense when they don't KNOW when the parts will be available, they just know that they will and when they are the part will be relisted.It appears you are being a bit over reactionary and a bit unreasonable.
I feel no guilt or remorse. LOL I am now busy waiting for SEVERAL months to fly by.
No, it isn't unreasonable to expect better, but you'll never see that as longer as people keep buying poorly designed items. The company is profiting in this case, so a change to a more reliable product would lead to less profit on their end.
The biggest part of this problem is that the American public wants everything as cheap as possible, wants quality, and wants everything handed to them RIGHT NOW. Because of this, we see poorly designed items rushed to market. Before anyone accuses me of bashing Lionel, realize that this issue of cheap, low quality items is far more widespread than Lionel.
lionroar88 I don't get where you come up with that Lionel is not supporting the Modern ZW? They just told you the problem is with obtaining the parts for the circuit board and those parts are on back order. As soon as they come in the boards will be built and made available.
I don't get where you come up with that Lionel is not supporting the Modern ZW? They just told you the problem is with obtaining the parts for the circuit board and those parts are on back order. As soon as they come in the boards will be built and made available.
I guess SEVERAL MONTHS means support to some? To me it means that your ZW will not get fixed for several months and honestly I do not call that support. Sixteen months is a heck of a lot of "lead" time. I received yet another email from Lionel:
Mr. (I deleated out my last name)
Unfortunately at this time the circuit board isn't available and we don't have an expected date of delivery for them. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Sorry to not end this conversation yet but I do have a question? From what some others have said I take it that the power supplies are what is eating the circuit board? Has any one replaced the breakers with a more reliable breaker, if so what did you use? I was thinking about a 10 amp sealed breaker that self resets like I use on KW transformers. Any thoughts on the subject?
I feel your pain, and it sucks to put it mildly. This is the unfortunate side effect of todays throw away society. I work as a small engine mechanic for a Cub Cadet dealership. I had a customer that had to live without his lawn tractor for over 1 month during the peak mowing season, waiting on parts from MTD to fix the bad steering box! This new fangled stuff is nice, but I will keep relying on my overhauled postwar ZW and postwar engines that have proven themselves over the years, and both made right here in the USA. Hope you can make the best of the situation and get by with your older transformer thru the holidays. Cheers Mike
LHS mechanic and geniune train and antique garden tractor nut case!
What I think is interesting is the first reply that came from Lionel came from their customer service manager and the problem was "down played". The second reply came from Lionel's store (parts department) and they are telling it the way it is "SEVERAL MONTHS". Yes, I do not mind "stirring up a mess" if it saves someone from buying an item that is not currently supported by Lionel. I learned a long time ago that you always email different departments of the same company to find out the real truth. Once again "SEVERAL MONTHS"! I knew somethig was not right when Lionel removed the circuit pack completely from their store the day after I sent them the first email about why it said unavailable. I don't think it had anything to do with their getting ready to eat turkey on Thursday. NOW where is that article about pushing the train around the track by hand this year (and maybe next Christmas)???
." You stirred up a mess on another forum on the same subject, didn't you... yes. We all read the same stuff. Lighten up and call on Monday. "
Dennis
Yes. Dennis, and YOU made some accusations over there too! How about you knock it off?
Dear Sir, The ZW circuit boards are currently out of stock. They will not be available again for several months. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you. Thank you, Lionel Talk to Us
Dear Sir,
The ZW circuit boards are currently out of stock. They will not be available again for several months. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you.
Thank you,
Lionel Talk to Us
Paul, Unfortunately the PCB's for the ZW are long overdue. There are 9 components on the board that have a lead time of 16 months. Boards were due in December 2010, but we are now being told they will not be coming until "sometime in 2011". Unfortunately that is where things are at this point in time. We will be getting more ZW boards in, just do not have a confirmation date of when at this point. I am sorry for the trouble, but that is all the information we have at this point. Thank you, Lionel Talk To Us
Paul,
Unfortunately the PCB's for the ZW are long overdue. There are 9 components on the board that have a lead time of 16 months. Boards were due in December 2010, but we are now being told they will not be coming until "sometime in 2011". Unfortunately that is where things are at this point in time. We will be getting more ZW boards in, just do not have a confirmation date of when at this point. I am sorry for the trouble, but that is all the information we have at this point.
Lionel Talk To Us
That is NOT good news! I better get some fuses and TVSs to protect mine and quick!and better start saving up for a new ZW!
I called 1-586-949-4100 and the service rep connected me with Phil one of their technicians. Phil said that Lionel can not get the circuit board. It was supposed to be available in December but now that has been changed to UNKOWN. Phil said that they have mailed out some boards to a circuit board repairman BUT they have not had any luck on getting them repaired (lack of parts available). Phil said that they receive over 100 calls a day about problems with the circuit borads. I tried my best to get Phil to find me one but he said that he just simply does not have any. That's it, end of story, amen, etc.
I called the local Lionel service center. He has still not heard from Lionel (by email) so he is going to call them right now and then call me back. He has the number of their manager I do not have it. Yes, this is step number one of two steps. I will call Lionel myself later (step two).
No one is directly telling you what to do just giving some very good advice to help you solve your problems and it appears your a very impatient person all we're saying is slow down it will come to happen. And if you go back to your old ZW I hope you use fast fuse's and other circuits to avoid any problems to your engines should they jump the track and short out. wouldn't want to see you fry one or more of them. Wish your luck in getting answers.
as for your local dealer probably hasn't heard back from Lionel either as normally takes about a week to hear back from them and with holiday in the middle maybe longer.
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
Lee,Lionel has said there is an issue with some of the ZWs circuit boards. All we had to do was call and they would either send a new circuit board or they would have you ship the ZW back and they would fix it. This was a few years ago, but they acknowledged it and fixed it.As for the switches... if they hadn't heard of others with issues, why would they acknowledge a problem? It could have simply been that you received bad units, it happens.
Yes, I get the message I will call. It is 3:30 AM now but later today I will call the local service center first to make sure they have not received a reply. If they can't get a reply from the customer service manager then I will call Lionel.
, Well here's my two cents about buying new Lionel; I won't do it!
Lionel has left me with a bad taste in my mouth after they would not acknowledge a problem with the O gauge switches # 6-23010 & 6-23011, made about 10 years ago. Lionel said they never heard of any problems with their switches, so now I am using Gargraves track and switches.
Now Lionel is having problems with the new ZW's made in China.
Lee F.
Pitbowie, I have to agree with several others on this forum, CALL. My email was responded to 3 days later, and then it was a back and forth email thing.
I have had issues with my Modern ZW, I called, got an RA and it was back in 3 weeks, repaired and have had no other problems. I've had some issues with other things as well.
I called, was on hold 20 minutes, but my problem was addressed, the parts shipped FREE and I was more than completely satisfied.
The techs there are wonderful, knew what was going on and took care of it right then.
In my opinion, emailing is useless. If you're retired, then calling should be no big deal.
BTW, I have also had MTH problems, the tech dept. was great, just faster to pick up the phone.
I am the monster in your head...And I thought you'd learn by now, It seems you haven't yet.I am the venom in your skin --- Breaking Benjamin
As I pointed out before the local Lionel service center has contacted the manager of Lionel's customer service via email He said that that is the way for him to contact the manager to get an answer. I will quote the local Lionel service center owner "they don't like phone calls"; he said he always uses email. So far he has not had a reply to the circuit board question (maybe Monday?). Maybe Lionel is in the transitional stage of interducing the newest ZW??? Maybe they will be selling a newer version of the circuit board once they have them??? Maybe, maybe, maybe. As far as how many postwar transformers that I have reconditoned just go to eBay and look at user pltbowie and read the feedbacks. I did go on a tour once at MTH in Columbia, Maryland but that was right after they built thier huge new factory about eight or so years ago. I am not sure if they still have tours or not; I don't see tours on the web site; I will email them.
If you are retired then why have you not called Lionel?I've had my Modern ZW for over 5 years and had no problems with it.Hope you get this resolved.
Anyone that pays me a paycheck can tell me what to do or say all others I will ignor. BTW I am retired.
pltbowie Not me I am going to park the modern ZW piece of junk and use my Postwar ZW. Still no reply from Lionel.com or the local Lionel service center. If I want modern anything from now on I will go to MTH in Coloumbia Maryland it is only 12 miles from here where they make the trains. At least this way I can talk to the main service center face to face.
Not me I am going to park the modern ZW piece of junk and use my Postwar ZW. Still no reply from Lionel.com or the local Lionel service center. If I want modern anything from now on I will go to MTH in Coloumbia Maryland it is only 12 miles from here where they make the trains. At least this way I can talk to the main service center face to face.
Mr. pitbowie/no profile,
1. I have issues with modern electronics also, but your posting dates indicate you are trying to get a hold of Lionel during Thanksgiving week AND on Thanksgiving Day. That will not happen. Wait until Monday.
2. Where did you get the information that MTH "makes" their products in Columbia, Md. I have been there. There is no manufacturing facility there.
3. You stirred up a mess on another forum on the same subject, didn't you... yes. We all read the same stuff. Lighten up and call on Monday.
In reading this topic, it makes me so happy I stayed with conventional opertion and use Lionel KW transformers in pairs. I have three layouts 1 in each of my two offices and one in my attic. On my smallest loop layout with one one sidetrack I use an American Flyer 4B transformer with ease.
OK, I am making some progress. First I found the FET I needed at usource.com Second I ordered the main board chip (cpu) from Lionel. However I have not heard back from the local Lionel service center or Lionel.com about getting the whole circuit board ?????
No, it is a TMOS power FET 33 amperes 100 volts RDS (on) 0.06 ohm - Motorola, Inc. Once again I agree a lot more chips could be cooked.
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