@Trainmstr posted:The cause of the recall on the K -Line Heavyweights was due to a lack of electrical isolation with the coupler assembly. One of my Ringling Bros. Circus cars derailed while my young daughter was playing with it. The derailment caused a short, this short sent voltage from my ZW through the metal frame and the all metal coupler assembly. The centering spring of the coupler assembly turned cherry red from the voltage and caused the cotton snow mat under the track to catch fire. When I returned to “fix” the train for my daughter I had an open flame under a live Christmas tree! I contacted K-Line, Classic Toy Trains, and the govt consumer office at that time, the same day. The gov’t issued a recall, the repair was to replace the washer that the centering spring rested on with a fiber one thereby breaking the circuit. The recall had nothing to do with wiring of the roller pickup. I strongly recommend anyone using K-Line “heavyweight” passenger cars check the truck-coupler assembly to ensure there is electrical isolation. This is at least the third time I’m responding to incorrect speculation as to why the recall took place, if you don’t have specific knowledge of the recall keep your opinions to yourself. I’m sure there are still many cars that didn’t have the fiber washers added, these cars could still be a fire hazard if not under adult supervision.
Don’t really matter what the short is, a ZW will go into arc welding mode with out some basic mods,….also agree with John, ….who gave you the in charge card?…you don’t like the opinions, you’re free to move on,……
y’all are making mountains out of mole hills, ….again,….wrap tape around the offending axle, and the problem with the roller touching the axle is solved,…..
Pat
