Choo Choo Charlie posted:If the zinc pest is indeed caused by the lead being out of specification or they do not have the proper specification, the problem is the manufacturer. Apple and Google sell $600- $1000 smart phones with much tighter specifications that are made in the same foreign countries without these kinds of problems with quality, so the train manufactures can make quality trains too. They just do not care to make the effort to buy zinc that meets a tight lead specification and to test each batch as to whether it meets specification because we keep buying them.
I would not buy trains from these poor quality manufacturers. We need to develop a list of the trains models and their manufacturers and start a Bad Quality Trains post on this forum. It is ridicules to put up with poor quality $600 plus engines and other trains (or any train gear regardless of cost). We need to call attention to the problem and force them make model trains that meet their quality specifications.
Charlie
With respect, this is a very simplistic view. For anyone who manufactures overseas, especially in China, there's a whol lot more to it. I worked for the premier power generation equipment company for many years. Despite setting up factories in China with work processes, manufacturing protocols, work instructions, and hand-picked supervisors and directors, daily calls, and so on, the only time things were made correctly and shipped on time was when we sent our domestic folks over to the factories to implement and oversee everything. Boots on the ground for extended periods. And the cost that goes with that, including salary enhancements, bonuses, living expenses, monthly return trips to visit family, and most everything else, including meals, hotels, cars, etc all going on expense reports. For a relatively tiny company like Lionel or any other tiny toy train manufacturer, I couldn't imagine this type of expenditure. Presumably, they've figured out a better model for their needs.
