Problem with Rivarossi Allegheny (or with me?)

[Spalato68]

Dear all,

 

I usually follow mostly silently conversation on this forum and appreciate a lot opinion of other forum members.

 

Considering the above, I would highly appreciate opinion on my problem that I have with one locomotive, or maybe, with its manufacturer. Locomotive was bought in the US (Eurolokshop).

 

The locomotive is Rivarossi Allegheny (Blue Ridge type, item no. HR2407 – DC version), and it has just one, but according to my opinion, important flaw: some of the wheels are not centered, their rotation is not following a circle – which adversely affects the running behavior.  

 

After almost three months of trying, I still did not have any success: I first contacted Hornby International (mid September), and after two emails received from Hornby Representative in Spain, he suddenly stopped any communication (during this communication, I did not use any bad language, or even required anything – just to ship the locomotive to him for testing, and possible replacement/repair, or whatever).

After waiting for one month, I wrote to Hornby UK – but received no answer. Then I called them on the phone to UK. Very kind lady told me that my issue has been forwarded to Hornby International, and “very soon somebody will deal with it”. This was on October 21^st.

After one month, I decided to write for the third time (November 25^th). This time I used all Hornby contact e-mail available in the Internet (US, UK, Spain, Italy, Germany). Again, I did not use any bad language (I have all e-mails archived), or accused them of anything – I just asked if somebody can take a look on their product. To make things even easier for them, I made short video of this locomotive, and for comparison of correct wheel rotation, I used another two locomotives with the same wheel arrangement. I posted this video on you tube. Video title was deliberately anonymous, i.e. the title of the video could not be found using any key words like Rivarossi, Hornby, Allegheny etc. I did this not to harm Hornby reputation in any way.

 

Despite all, I received no reply at all.

 

Now I have created another video – this time for this forum, but without comparison with other locomotives.  

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMVaxB48Yho&feature=youtu.be

 

I kindly ask you to look at it, and tell me, if I am wrong (“rivet counter”), or there is something wrong with some of the wheels (especially on the first, second and fourth axle, from left to right). I think not all wheels are causing locomotive to shake / wobble, just a few of them (excuse me for these words, English is not my native language, so maybe they are not fully appropriate).

 

I have experience in model railroading for over 35 years, and collection of numerous locomotives / rolling stock – so I think I can see when a locomotive is not running correctly. But, it is really possible I am wrong.

 

Btw – I would never request money back or even replacement of the whole locomotive – just new wheels would be enough. I would even buy them, if there is no other possibility.

 

This locomotive is in fact magnificent – detailing is phenomenal, and the drive train is perfect – except for the wheels.

 

Thanks.

 

Hrvoje

[Graffen]

Can't see the video, it's private.

[Spalato68]

My apology - this is my second video on you tube. I hope now it is public.

 

Hrvoje

[modelmaker51]

My first choice of contacts would be the  sellor (Eurolokshop?) to see if they can do anything, especially within the first year of purchase.

[DigitalGriffin]

Looks like wheel wobble which is a sign of either a bent axel or out of quarter

[selector]

I agree with Don, bent axle, slight quartering problem, or axle not centered in the wheel so that the wheel acts a bit like a cam.  Not sure which, seems to be a bit of the bent axle and centering in combination in a couple of instances.  I see problems with the third, fifth, and sixth driver axles at a quick glance.

As for getting no response, I would insist that the agent of the manufacturer/importer, that is, your selling dealer, take the locomotive back and either refund your money or send a replacement that he knows works properly.

Other than that, I am surprised by your story.  I would have expected at least one of the entities to have responded and have been quite willing to help you by now.  I have no further suggestions other than contacting your credit card holder, if you used one for the purchase, and try to get the charge reversed to you by way of a refund if that is possible.

[Spalato68]

Dear all,

 

Thank you for your replies / opinions. I think quartering is not a problem, because wheels rotate freely (there is no binding), but their rotation does not follow a circle. Ok, if there is a slight quartering problem, maybe they would still rotate without binding, I do not know.

 

Now more detail on this, I did not want to make the first post too long. Locomotive was bought in October last year, and sent to my cousin in California. He did not touch it until he brought it over here (Croatia) this summer. He comes almost every year, so if I buy something, it is sent to him and he brings it afterwards.  I am not impatient, I can wait

 

At first, when I noticed that locomotive wobbles (not much, but still obvious enough to be annoying), I thought the cause is in traction tires. I know from experience that if traction tires are not manufactured perfectly, they cause locomotive to wobble. It is easy to fix this – just replace threaded wheels with wheels without tires. So I contacted Hornby (mid September) and asked first, is it possible to get wheels without tires, because they cause locomotive to wobble.

 

The answer was short – no, because Hornby did not manufacture replacement wheel set without tires. It was explained further that Hornby cannot manufacture such wheels (quote: “In any case it is technical not possible to fit the rubber tires on the centred axles in both trucks – our existing (insert injection) tooling cannot produce such wheels”).

 

Then I looked better to the wheels while locomotive was upside down, I realized that some of the wheels are either not centered, axle is bent or whatsoever.

 

So I was left no other option but to ask, if I can send a locomotive for inspection to Hornby representative. I even agreed to pay the postage expenses in case, everything is normal with locomotive (so I am wrong). After that, I never received any communication from any Hornby representative, as already explained.

 

My cousin can try to contact Hornby US, but this was at first absurd to me, considering the fact that Hornby has HQ in UK, which is in the EU, like my country. Furthermore, representative from Hornby International (Spain) communicated with me at first, so I think I was not wrong to go this way. He did not reject to deal with this, because locomotive was bought in the US.

 

But, now my cousin is the only option left, so I will ask him to try to communicate with Hornby US. I can of course, buy a full set of new wheels, which I will do if nothing else is left. Locomotive is very nice, so I would like to keep it.

 

Hrvoje

 

 

 

[Harpo1me]

Same problem with the mid 90's Channenger.No axle bearings .Just a cast slot in the truck that does not fit the axle very well.Lots of play for and aft.Seems their designe is to be loose along with the slop in the side rods makes even slop.Aparently you may have one that is tighter then the other creating a imbalance of the slop.These are basically a cheap as you can get in a designe espeshally with the cost of them.They give you the great detail on those alleghneys but rip you on the final drive period. Say it like it it and their build shows this.Wish there was a redesigne with bearings on the axles do do it the right way .Other then that find the imbalance and make their sloppy final drive even and lube them good since the axle material wears into the soft cast white metal to create more of an imbalance.Shame on them for cost cutting in this way!