Lionel Stands By There Product

[rcsteamer]

Although I have been a model railroad enthusiast for many years. I got the O-Scale fever last March and started to plan a relatively conservative sized layout (7x15). When Lionel introduced the new E-6 Atlantic I ordered it. I couldn't wait to place it on the track. Well, after 2-3 minutes of running it refused to move. Being brand new, purchased from a authorized dealer, I sent it back to Lionel.
DHL just delivered the locomotive and to my surprise, It is a brand new one. I do not know if anyone from Lionel reads this forum. However, if they do, thanks for doing the right thing. They even tested it (smoke unit worked) before shipping it.

Sam Karpel

[Big_Boy_4005]

Sam, I'm glad your story has a happy ending. After talking to my local dealer last Saturday, I'm not surprised that they sent you a new one. It is probably much easier and perhaps even cheaper to replace it than repair it.

What my dealer was saying had to do with parts, and is basicly this. The Chineese are in charge, and they don't make a surplus stockpile for replacements, so when they're gone, they're gone. Essentially what this means is a lot of products are throw away if they break. Lionel probably keeps a limited number of complete units around to canibalize, but that's it.

It certainly isn't like the made in America days. If you want parts for MTH or K-line, it's even harder.

[Anonymous]

Its great that your engine was replaced! I wasn't so lucky with MTH, they lost my tender frame and basically said screw you its not our problem.

In a topic a few weeks ago I made a comment that wasn't to appreciated, but the second post here supports it. My comment was along the lines of in 50 more years, if I'm alive then, I'll still be running my then 100 year old lionels and you will be trying to figure out how to ***ize your 50 year old trains to make them work since there are no parts and they are throw away trains. Such is life, everything is that way!

[Warburton]

I agree with ogage. The newer electronic-loaded stuff will soon enough outlive its replacement supply chain. After that, whenever something breaks down, it will be throwaway time (or put it on the shelf and admire it there!).

[laz 57]

I sent my Big Boy (not Eliot) back was fixed and sent back and runs happily ever after.
laz57

[pmilazzo]

As long as there are companies willing to make OEM electronics like TAS or DD the electronics are covered with what some would say is a supperior alternative.

As far as DC motors, there are hundreds of them....There are also companies that are recasting parts for post war trains that will some day probably do the same for modern equipment. But that's the longer term.

I believe there is a small window where Lionel won't have have the parts anymore, and the OEM's may not be ready to start making them until there is more demand. How long is small? I don't know...it's a supply and demand relationship, but I enjoy running my 60+ year old post war trains as well as my 2 year old modern trains until and hope to keep both going the best I can for as long as possible.

Rather than worrying...I'm enjoying just running them for now

[Big_Boy_4005]

I should probably clarify my earlier comments a little. The parts that will be hard to get are the detail and decorative parts, and maybe some of the less common mechanical parts, especially accesories. Things like motors and electronics should remain fairly easy to get.

I have a C&NW GP-9 with an early TMCC board in it. It hit a switch wrong, and I suspect it's fried. New board or toss it, $150 either way, since that is what I paid used on eBay. Sad part is, it ran great for a while.

Thanks for not demanding your money back on me Laz.[swg]

[Anonymous]

I have ordered parts from MTH using their schematics that they provide on their web site without any problems. I have also called K-Line about a problem, talked to their Tech, and he sent the part needed, no charge.

[Jumijo]

Well, we''ll see if Lionel stands behind their product soon enough. I had a "mighty" CW-80 quit on me last week. I'm going to take it back and ask for a replacement tonight.

Jim

[dwiemer]

I had a CW 80 that went on the blink. I emailed the company to ask for information on repair. They sent me a new one and never asked for the old. I hope to fix it with information recently posted (to use as a backup). As far as I am concerned, they stand by the products.

[Anonymous]

Looks like the change in the Lionel leadership with Jerry Calabrese has improved their service and response to customers.

[phillyreading]

I am glad to hear that Lionel is starting to stand by their product.
My experiance has been really BAD with any Lionel products in the past 12 years, example the Lionel 6-23011 switches, Never has any switch gave me more problems than that series of switches. Lionel refused to ackowledge a problem with the switch so
I refuse to buy any Lionel made in the past 15 years that uses any kind of motor or solenoid.