10 years from now will there be parts?

[CB&Q]

[:D]
I wonder if 10 years from now if any manufactures will have parts to repair or replace bad computer boards or any thing else that can go bad seems as tecnoligy goes full bore but we never hear of replacement parts for older locos at the very beginning of sound and independant train control. what do you all think will we all be collectors of unusable shelf displays? what are your thoughts on this topic would like to hear your opinions.

[Jumijo]

My guess is that replacement boards will be a growing cottage industry within this hobby. There are already aftermarket suppliers of electronic e-units, and sound, and control boards. Many of these units are upgrade items, but I'm willing to bet if an item requires enough replacements, and the original mfg. isn't willing or able to supply those parts, someone else will.

Jim

[Anonymous]

St Paul,

I agree with Jaabat-someone will make some kind of electronics to keep things running-I am not at all worried about that.

What does, occasionally, concern me, is the availability in the future of mechanical parts. Bushings, bearings, motors, wheels, side rods, etc. I have also heard, but do not know if it is true, that the wheels on some of the newer locomotives cannot even be pulled as they will be damaged.

Now I run the heck out of everything, and have seen no signs of wear, other than pick-up rollers on any of my newer MTH or Lionel equipment, and I make sure that things stay cleaned and lubed so I am not too worried, but I do wonder occasionally.

So far, the modern electronics have proven to be extremely reliable.

[trigtrax]

The short answer is no. The bigger, more expensive computerized trains are being produced in small runs. None of the companies are releasing schematics or repair info for this stuff. It just won't be financially rewarding to reverse engineer hardware and software to repair these monsters..

I recently had a Kodak DC 50 Digital Camera go bad. I called Kodak to get info on repair.. The answer: we don't repair it because it's obsolete and we won't sell you a repair manual because it's proprietary.. This is the future for your new super choo-choos

[lionelsoni]

Fortunately, you can convert almost everything to traditional conventional operation. It is my custom to do this immediately after purchase, to avoid the intermediate aggravation.

[cheese3]

I was at the LHS one time and i was looking at a nice locomotive, i don't remember what it was though and i think it was MTH and I asked how much would it take to replace something electroniclay and he said a new board was like $200!!!! I was like wow I think I will stick with my older lionel without a cumputer in it.

[brianel027]

Were already seeing this now... some parts are not easily available. Lionel recently dumped much of their large parts inventories. I'm sure as mentioned above, that if there is demand there will be smaller cottage businesses that will fill the void. But I'm also certain that some parts will have to be hunted down or pulled off other items.

Trigtrax makes some vallid observations: production runs are smaller, tooling is made for the shortrun, not the long haul (as done in the past) and compatability is one feature today's train companies are not interested in. The train companies not only alter parts to keep them from being used elsewhere on competitors items, but also for legal reasons - so that they can say they did not copy the part.

Parts like let's say knuckles for operating couplers, look very similar. It's not until you try to take the knuckle from company A and insert it into a operating coupler made by company B that you realize it doesn't fit. So now you have to tinkle or fiddle with a 25 cent part to make it work, or go to the effort to hunt down the right part - and then pay a ridiculous amount minimum amount of shipping for a dinky part that could easily be sent with a normal postage stamp.

But this has always been part of the fun of the trains... tinkering with stuff and making do with what you have or what is easily available. Which by the way, is very prototypical operation since the real railroads also do the same thing.

[TrainFreak409]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cheese3

I was at the LHS one time and i was looking at a nice locomotive, i don't remember what it was though and i think it was MTH and I asked how much would it take to replace something electroniclay and he said a new board was like $200!!!! I was like wow I think I will stick with my older lionel without a cumputer in it.

Some of MTH's Protosound 2 boards have insane prices. The upgrades from PS1 to PS2 are $150-$200 alone, then you need to pay for the installation. And it gets worse with multiple unit sets, like an F7 ABA. You need to get two or three upgrades, depending on whether the B unit is powered or not.

[Anonymous]

If you had asked me this question last week I would have answered in the affirmative. But after the events of the last few days, I am wondering.

The nature of the electronics business is that a particular component will be run for a relatively short period, say 5 years. Then it will be declared obsolete and its function taken by a new version, which most likely will not be directly substitutable.

Last week I would have believed that the aftermarket companies such as DD, Electric Trains and TAS would continue to supply upgraded cards that would be physically interchangeable with, say, TMCC. DCS is another matter.

Now, I really wonder. I assume K-Line is, or will be, cut off. What will happen to the others if Lionel refuses to extend their licensing of TMCC? I doubt the other aftermarket suppliers can do much, legally, if they no longer have access to TMCC BOARDS.

What would be the alternative? Convert to DCC?

Tony

[3railguy]

Cottage industries such as TAS are already making replacement boards for older engines. Not for everything - yet.. Often, they are not exact replacements. They are retrofit upgrades. Essentially you are replacing yesterdays technology with todays. Timkos is making upgraded motors and drives for older Weaver and Williams. As the demand warrants, more boards and parts will come on the market. The challenging part is the vast variety of engines. It isn't like postwar Flyer and Lionel where many parts are interchangeable and they only made a few engine types compared to today.

[ChiefEagles]

Hopefully not. If they go by the way the depth finder and GPS industry does, nope. They tell you to "chunk them" or send them back and they up grade for a charge [if not too old]. Still costly, their prices have come down since they frist were released several years ago. Replacement board industry, good idea.

[ben10ben]

Well, the first Lionel TMCC engines came out 10 years ago this year. Has anyone tried to buy a replacement LCRU for your yellow C&O Streamlined Hudson or B&A Hudson lately? TAS and DD both blew out their remaining LCRUs two years ago, and Lionel got rid of most of them several years ago at the big parts sale. As far as I know, the only place to get an LCRU is from Lionel, where you might get them to dig out a dust box and charge you $170 for it. Once Lionel's stock of LCRUs is gone, your only hope will be either a traditional e-unit or upgraded electronics.

[Anonymous]

Short answer: No.

There will be some parts available, of course, but chances are they will not be the part that you need. Heck, most of these guys can't even supply parts for your newer trains today, let alone a decade from now.

[3railguy]

This is the price we pay for the features. Because of the nature of our train operations, the electronics must endure more abuse than clocks or DVD's. The only real answer is automotive or mil spec grade electronics but then you're raising the price of a $400 diesel to $800.

[okiechoochoo]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Allan Miller

Short answer: No.

There will be some parts available, of course, but chances are they will not be the part that you need. Heck, most of these guys can't even supply parts for your newer trains today, let alone a decade from now.

Allan is correct. There are going to be a lot of expensive door stops setting in train rooms. All well, that's high tech for you.

[philo426]

I agree what if you need a siderod or crosshead for an older loco?Either make the part (if you have the skill) or wait until a replacement could be found.(you could be in for a long expensive wait).