Hey guys,
I'm not sure if this is just something we have to deal with, but we're putting together our layout and a critical component is giving us some trouble.
I ordered this Ross 22 degree crossover directly from Ross brand new. When we opened it up, one of the shorter end rails was sitting loose in the box, and the other rails are all able to slide very easily all the way out. It appears to me that the little hooks that are supposed to crimp the rail securely are not tightened at all, and the result is that the end rails can slip right out if you hold the crossover upward. Gravity just pulls everything apart.
Also, it seems like the last tie in each direction is only connected to the rest of the crossover vis this single pair of crimps on the smallest outside rail, so when that rail slipped out it brought the tie with it, and the tie just slides right off of everything else.
Yes, I realize that these won't be installed vertically, but it makes it VERY difficult to insert pins because the rails just want to slide all the way in and bottom out against the frog (which can't happen, since the flanges won't clear the other way). Even when they're in place, the rails are all very "wobbly" as they sit, and I'm worried that may cause problems down the line if they continue to "walk" each time a train runs over them.
It looks like someone came through with hot glue to try to fix this (which is odd, since this was brand new from Ross) but it clearly didn't work. Is that "standard" construction? If it is, I'm a little surprised. This board frequently sings the praises of Ross equipment, but gobs of hot glue visible from above and a bunch of loose rails that literally fall apart when I pick up the crossover doesn't scream "quality" to me.
Just wanted to get y'alls take before I email Ross...if this is normal for them, then I suppose I'll just deal with it and try to tighten things up myself. If this is not normal, I'll email Ross and ask for a replacement.
Thanks!
