Joe Fermani posted:I think its unfair to state there are a high number of engines with failures. For as many posts we have read where there is a problem, how many were sold that have not had a problem? Most consumers do not post that their item worked well. While I do agree, that it is frustrating to buy an expensive loco and have an issue, Lionel will make it right. Just because something is expensive does not mean it cannot break. What is considered an acceptable production run? 3% failure rate? Assume 3% is a good rate, then a run of 2000 locs would yield 60 problem engines. 60 engines would yield a lot of comments on this forum and consumers would think the engine is garbage.
I would much prefer to have a minor engine problem, then say a defective cell phone which catches on fire.
Maybe a better percentage is to do the math on how many new products you have from Lionel and how many have had an issue. I have had much more than 3% I can tell you. Trim fallen off, pilot wheels falling out on the floor, smoke units not working, loader smoke fluid all over the layout, broken reefer doors, and the list goes on. My GG1 was almost perfect...just two hoses missing off the rear pilot but only one of them could I find in the wrapping.
