Atlas O Leaf Spring Debacle

Precision Scale Co. makes leaf springs in brass

WM Dave

WM Dave,

I found 2 packs of 4 on eBay and bought them.

Thank you!

I was surprised to receive a callback from Atlas, today.  The fellow was apologetic regarding the unanswered emails and advised that the most effective way to contact them is by phone as emails "don't always get through."  Good to his word, I've received email indicating that replacement springs are on their way to me via UPS.  It will be interesting to see if they can be installed without disintegrating and also interesting to see how the Precision Scale springs will fit.

Thanks, again, for your help.

Glad you got a call back. I have always called Atlas' main number and gotten through every time (during their working hours). A couple of times the person they thought I should talk to (per the question or problem I had) was not there that day, but called me back the next business day they were back in the office. I have had very good support from Atlas. (Have also had good support from MTH and Lionel too, but I always call them directly, never email.)

I favor Lionel over MTH because of the availability of parts diagrams and the parts themselves.  MTH Midge is very nice but she's working at a disadvantage - lots of disadvantages.  Once the part has been identified the next step has always been to determine that they don't have any but will call when then next shipment comes in.  Apparently, the shipments never come in or her reminders expire after several months.m

Atlas is rising, not shrugging, it's way to the top of the list, thanks to this most recent experience.  It's too bad that they list the email addresses and poor suckers, like me, use them to no avail.  I've learned my lesson.

I think a lot of folks are just too busy for checking email, Sad, but may be true? However, I believe Steve Horvath (sp) with Atlas is pretty good about answering emails and he is a regular poster here as well. I have exchanged an email or two with him in the past. Very quick replies too.

I have had good luck with MTH parts and also Lionel, but everything I have is new from 2011 (when I got back in the hobby) to present. I am guessing that probably makes a big difference on parts availability as opposed to parts for older items?

Sadly, Mr. Horvath is not listed on the "Contact" page but that is probably why he is not inundated with emails and is able to respond timely.  The phone contact method worked very well and some parts are en route via UPS.  It'll be interesting to see what's in the package when it gets here.  This is like a Christmas Eve from my childhood, waiting for Santa to come.   Maybe I'll be able to finish my project!

I've had very good luck in closing up the space between cars by installing Kadees and modifying the diaphragms by using a Mototool to saw off some of the rubber and gluing on striker plates from heretofore unusable Scale City diaphragm sets.  I was delighted to see that SC is now pre-folding the "canvas" in their newer kits.

When I'm able to finish the second coach, I'll post photos.  The cars really look nice and nominally prototypical.  The last piece in the puzzle will be to replace the window material with green tinted styrene, pre-hazed using 600 grit - the O Scale passengers won't be able to see out and we won't be able to see in.  Aaaaah, memories of the CNJ in the '70's!

Debacle???

I think a lot of folks are just too busy for checking email, Sad, but may be true? s?

Maybe, but then there is no guarantee that e-mail even arrives at its destination; its reliability is dubious.  Since Verizon migrated its e-mail to AOL, quite a few of my messages simply never arrive where I intended (wonder at times where they did go...) and quite a few that are sent to me end up in the On-line spam folder, not on my desktop.

Too busy?  Maybe true.  I get 50-60 /day (low #'s, but as planned...) in all 3 of my accounts and the delete key gets a lot of exercise.  There is a growing backlash to all electronic communications and instant gratification universe where folks expect/demand an instant response to their messages.  Once upon a time folks could wait a week or 3 to get a response to a letter w/o the world coming to an end - they can wait a day or 3 and survive the experience.....

Pingman posted:

Debacle???

I try to follow all OGR Forum rules and regulations plus be patient and polite with those whose job it is to deal with a generally ungrateful public.  Therefore, I did not use the language that first came to mind.  Spending the kind of money that those cars cost and having them apart on my workbench for six months for want of some 1 cent plastic parts from an unresponsive manufacturer whose protocols I followed to the letter, per their web page regarding "contact", rates a string of blue and smoking oaths.  However, in my attempt at civility, I chose "debacle" in lieu of other terms acquired during a career that included four years of sea duty and 30-plus years of railroad employment.

What is the loss of 3' of your workbench during six months of aggravation worth to you?  Given an equivalent situation, what OGRF acceptable term would you have used?

Rapid Transit Holmes posted:

What is the loss of 3' of your workbench during six months of aggravation worth to you?  Given an equivalent situation, what OGRF acceptable term would you have used?

I'd never waste 6 months on such a thing.  I'd just go buy parts from PSC, or if plausible make replacement parts myself from 1 good part.  I'd also pull it all off my bench except for the trucks and put the rest away.....  I've never understood the infatuation with the must use any specific manufacturer's or importer's parts.  Reliance on any of them is a trap waiting for a victim.

Rapid Transit Holmes posted:

Sadly, Mr. Horvath is not listed on the "Contact" page but that is probably why he is not inundated with emails and is able to respond timely.  The phone contact method worked very well and some parts are en route via UPS.  It'll be interesting to see what's in the package when it gets here.  This is like a Christmas Eve from my childhood, waiting for Santa to come.   Maybe I'll be able to finish my project!

I've had very good luck in closing up the space between cars by installing Kadees and modifying the diaphragms by using a Mototool to saw off some of the rubber and gluing on striker plates from heretofore unusable Scale City diaphragm sets.  I was delighted to see that SC is now pre-folding the "canvas" in their newer kits.

When I'm able to finish the second coach, I'll post photos.  The cars really look nice and nominally prototypical.  The last piece in the puzzle will be to replace the window material with green tinted styrene, pre-hazed using 600 grit - the O Scale passengers won't be able to see out and we won't be able to see in.  Aaaaah, memories of the CNJ in the '70's!

I believe Steve posts his email and possibly direct phone number here when offering help to those in need. Maybe look through his posts to find the info. Anyway, glad you got everything straight and your parts are on the way.

Steve moved to Montana years ago and has very little to do with Atlas now   The guy you want to talk to about repairs is Bill Serratelli.  

Well, Steve showed good sense in moving to Montana.  I emailed Serratelli and got no response.  However, the fellow I did speak with took care of everything and I now have several of the leaf springs and hope they won't crumble as the others did.  I am a big fan of Atlas products and now know the "secret" of how to get help.