2017 Lionel Western Maryland SD40 problem/issue right out of the box

There is another thread from last week discussing issues with the SD 40's.  My Southern version arrived today and I could see that the rear coupler (short hood end) was broken so I did not even remove it from the box.

As You said, a major disappointment!

Don

Thanks.  Yes, I believe it was the coupler and not the truck itself.

Take photos of everything possible.

Wheres the QC lionel? This is horrible. Every post I read about troubles with new Lionel products makes me more nervous for my NW2 coming in december. 

I received my Santa Fe units today. While the front coupler was not detached the screw was loose. Tightened everything up and running well so far. 

The one on the left is a GP35 from a couple of years ago.

Ouch. That is pink 

It looks like you're missing some MU hoses on the pilot. Maybe they are still in the foam cradle.

And, yes, the "red" looks very light compared to the GP35.

Makes Atlas O SD40s worth the long wait...

Looks like the same red they used on the First Responders unit...also the reason I let that SD60E go! 

Both of my Southern SD40s had the coupler issue.  I had started a thread on this.  With some many of these new SD40s having coupler problems is this a design flaw or is it poor workmanship at the factory?  Is anyone at the factory in China inspecting these engines before they ship them out?

Neal Jeter

My dealer emailed me today that my SD40 CSX Diesel is at the store. Hopefully I will pick it up Saturday.  I did send my dealer an email to check it out, most all of my purchases have come in fine.  I will put pictures here on the forum...

Larry Mullen, you are right about the color on the new Western Maryland SD40, very close to the SD60’s NS 911, and First Responders...(I have those units). .It’s not pink, but reddish/orange and not deep red like the one beside it.   I think Lionel, should get with the program concerning scale like colors....This is why BTO is Risky.  

Don, I would the engine back to the dealer for a swap. Or, call Lionel for an RA...It gets old when our prized trains come in damaged do to poor packaging, or non-caring shippers throwing our boxes on trucks....It’s sad.

Everyone else, good luck...As they say, “This too shall pass”.

Shouldn't a pre-inspection be included on all BTO locomotives?

Aren't these diesels approaching $700 mark

MSRP in the Lionel catalog is $649, and shipping is extra a lot of the time. (Some dealers off special early order pricing).  Most of us have to mail order our trains.  And, do to low margins of profit, many dealers do not take the time to open all of the boxes and check for damages as it takes time and $$$$....I am not Complaining, I understand......There comes a time, while engineering makes us a super model, they should also engineer a great shipping container...Hopefully there will be some positive comments forthcoming....

waiting to here from my dealer on my Southern unit

I got 6 new Lionel 2017 sd40 2 up 2 Penn 2 santa fe 3 of them coplers were hanging in the box others were loose needed to be tightened the 3 coplers had to be put on screws were loose in the box with black washers all worked be man for the price one pays 

This is a shame that you wait and wait for a product to come and then it’s broken and has to be worked on or sent back. Just not right. Is this anyway to sell product????

This is the original paint job  

I don' know how Lionel continues to increase prices on a yearly bases I ordered 3000 in sd40s 3 couplers hanging in box needed to reattached the rest were mostly loose needed to be tightened plus in the western Maryland being pink this is the last year I'm going to preorder 

Its a wonder everything folks order doesn't come in broken!  More than once my son has seen our USPS delivery person throw boxes up onto the front deck (porch) from the sidewalk.   Its a long trip from China so maybe they need to put some removable Loctite on the screws?   At any rate I wish putting on a loose coupler was the only problem any of us had.   Or tightening up a screw.   I don't know how yall made it!!! 

Jim : )

My Santa Fe came with a unsightly gap under the front short hood to the deck. I see the Western Maryland posted earlier has the same issue. My SD40's from 2015 release are all tight to the deck here. It looks bigger in person, the picture has a shadow. I'm currently talking to Lionel about a fix. 

My theory, the 2015 SD40's had some issues with the rear cab corners lifting off the battery boxes. On the 2017's, I believe they fixed this issue but in doing so caused the short hood to lift slightly.

Perfect example of Byer be ware.  When you purchase a locomotive at any LHS have the seller take the locomotive out of the box and run it on their layout.  If they are unwilling to do so, do not purchase.

bruce

Its a wonder everything folks order doesn't come in broken!  More than once my son has seen our USPS delivery person throw boxes up onto the front deck (porch) from the sidewalk.

That is what proper packing is all about.
It is well known by all how packages are handled.

I had the coupler off in one of my UP locomotives as well. But with a soldering gun and screw driver I was up and running in 30 minutes.

What killed me was there was a critical foam missing to protect the cab... and sure enough that one had a crushed cab...

My hobby shop swapped it for one in stock and regrettably they had to send that one back to Lionel.

As for the gap between the shell and the base, there is a small gap, but nothing glaring. What is the fix?

BTW the sounds on these are wow, Wow, WOW!

The gap is bigger on some than others. Ive seen it on most 2017 SD40's Ive seen on the forum and Youtube. Being able to see daylight under the short hood while running at eye level bothers me. The Lionel Rep suggested bending the front body mount tabs down a bit to close the gap but this had no effect on mine. So at the moment there is no fix.

"The Lionel Rep suggested bending the front body mount tabs down a bit to close the gap but this had no effect on mine."

Front Body mount tabs? I haven't popped the lid but aren't these attached with molded in bosses?

Yeah. seeing daylight in this area would be a bummer.

J Daddy posted:

"The Lionel Rep suggested bending the front body mount tabs down a bit to close the gap but this had no effect on mine."

Front Body mount tabs? I haven't popped the lid but aren't these attached with molded in bosses?

Yeah. seeing daylight in this area would be a bummer.

Yeah I meant the 2 front metal frame tabs that the brass shell inserts attach to. 

I probably would not bend those tabs down, setting the height consistently maybe a tough task.

Can you use a cordless Dremel and just grind the boss down a tad on the shell?

On mine, lowering the metal tabs like Lionel said pulled the deck down farther creating a bigger gap. I believe the problem lies in the construction of the shell. I was thinking of somehow bonding the deck and short hood together from the back side. Something that would pull the 2 surfaces together like a strong tape. It's a relatively clean 90 degree angle inside the shell where they meet.

Your friend should simply return the engine if not satisfied. Sounds like there may not be a solution on the gap. There’s nothing he can do about the paint. Why go through the aggravation.