@MATT GNO27 I agree with your sentiment, but a recall is about product safety. It would also be burdensome for Lionel to figure out who actually bought their products, because unlike cars, trains are not required to maintain any kind of ownership or registration.
I do agree that for the sake of their reputation and customer goodwill, they should agree to replace items ruined by zinc pest if good spares are available and not also affected. But given today's smaller production runs, I think we have to accept the risk that our trains may crumble and a replacement part may not be available. Hopefully things like 3D printing, CNC milling, etc., will allow specialty suppliers to make replacement parts affordably.
Train "collecting" became a thing in the 1950s with early Standard Gauge. Eventually several 3rd party folks such as MEW, Henning, etc. made wheels and parts to replace the crumbling 1920s originals. A lot of those trains are still running! So there is hope...
