Atlas trucks snapped off at nylon (plastic) grommet

The whole bolster is zinc pested. I believe there was a run of these that had this issue.  Atlas may have replacements, if not, I think there is a 3D printed replacement for them on Shapeways.

I have several of these Atlas cars, all refers. Four of the trucks broke off either when opening the box or when attempting to put the cars on the track. They are all new , never opened.  This weekend I opened another and the same thing happened.  I am most disappointed.

If there are others on this forum experiencing the same thing, I think that Atlas should know about it. Please reply here and perhaps we can convince them to help us out.

Earl     

same here on mdt lackawanna and NYC white reefer--its zinc pest -the trucks just sheer off-anyone contact atlas on this-they changed how the trucks are mounted in the MDT NYC reefers so figure they knew about it--figure i will next week

I contacted Atlas, and I was told since my items were over 10 years old, I would not be granted any price consideration by them. In fact my protestation led the management to draft a policy specifically directed at zinc pest damages. See below:

Warranty determinations need to be specific to the condition under consideration.

For the deteriorating zinc situation that Bill and Don have submitted, Atlas will cover the truck/chassis part without charge for up to three years, following manufacture date, dependent on part(s) currently availability.

Over three years, Atlas will supply the part, if currently available, for an original warranty registered product. If not registered the customer can purchase the part if available at the standard parts rate.

After 5 years from the manufactured date, Atlas will supply the part if available at the standard parts rate.

You’re on the Right Track…with Atlas®️

Thomas W Haedrich

Executive Chairman

Atlas Model Railroad Co Inc

908-687-0880 ext. 7018

That’s really unacceptable— it’s a manufacturing defect metal isn’t supposed to crumble

Did they have the parts you need for a fix?

@Mark V. Spadaro posted:

I contacted Atlas, and I was told since my items were over 10 years old, I would not be granted any price consideration by them. In fact my protestation led the management to draft a policy specifically directed at zinc pest damages. See below:

Warranty determinations need to be specific to the condition under consideration.

For the deteriorating zinc situation that Bill and Don have submitted, Atlas will cover the truck/chassis part without charge for up to three years, following manufacture date, dependent on part(s) currently availability.

Over three years, Atlas will supply the part, if currently available, for an original warranty registered product. If not registered the customer can purchase the part if available at the standard parts rate.

After 5 years from the manufactured date, Atlas will supply the part if available at the standard parts rate.

You’re on the Right Track…with Atlas®️

Thomas W Haedrich

Executive Chairman

Atlas Model Railroad Co Inc

908-687-0880 ext. 7018

Atlas knows it usually more than 5 years for the problem to show up - thus they are skirting responsibility.

Jim

I guess the question is does atlas have the parts for a fix or are the cars a total loss? The parts needed should be cheap I would think just the bolster and grommets

Someone (CentralFan1976) had 3D-printed replacement bolsters on ShapeWays. Those can be found here. By the way, those could be used to mount Atlas trucks on other cars, but you might have to compensate for the height.

In the alternative, you can drill out the broken pin with a 3/16" drill and insert a short 3/16" dowel. You'd have to drill out the hole in the truck to match. Then you can screw the truck back in place using the existing screw. Did that with a caboose that got hit at the club.

Hi Everyone and Merry Christmas,

My next question is, will the replacement trucks be made the same way?  If so, every five years  will I need to replace the trucks? I have a lot of Atlas equipment, power and rolling stock. I like Atlas, but I find their response disappointing in this case.  We all just want a little help here. A tip on how to replace the trucks and maybe a small break in the price of the trucks would go along way with most serious customers.  I want to continue to purchase Atlas products. I don't want to second guess myself next time I am deciding on whether  or not  to make a purchase of the same.   

Most Sincerely,

Earl   

Not sure you need the trucks just the metal bolster with a grommet in it to screw the trucks to— trucks are fine it’s the metal grommet they screw into that disintegrated—- the metal bolster is also bad

Thanks Matt

Has anyone tried the bolsters Matt shared on the atlas steel reefers?

One truck out of 3 pairs exploded due to rot. I asked Atlas to replace the one ruined truck. I was declined, and told Atlas only sells trucks in pairs. So, with no help from Atlas, 3 pair of bolsters are $24.00, 1 pair of trucks $31.50 (trucks only sold in pairs), and shipping “around $10”, so ~ $65.50 to rehab 3 Atlas Master Line Steam Freight Classic Reefers.

I'm a little late on this thread, came across it while looking for a thread on a different matter but like you all, I had the same thing happen to me a while back on two Steam Era Classics, both of them brand new reefers, never out of the box, both had zinc pest rot all over the bolsters and both broke as I was trying to get them out of the molded plastic case.  I've had these cars for probably 8 years at least.  I couldn't figure out a way to put new ones on, didn't even know where I would find them, I do now, but I came up with a different solution for my problem, I pulled the bolsters off  and I had two Atlas 52'6" flats laying around, so I plopped them on top and will weather them up and tie them to the flat cars with heavy chain and run them in a consist like they were going back to the shops to have new trucks put under them and whatever else that needed to be repaired or replaced.  In other words, they had been in a derailment and had minimal damage, scrapes, scratches, the foot steps tore off of them couplers beat up and removed, they will look great running like that in a train.  I will put some blocking under them to keep them above and off of the deck and it will work for me.  I'm sure I have some more Atlas older cars that I'll end up with the same problems so I'll make a decision on them then.

I like the idea of trying Shape Ways and I may just do that to fix these two that I have.  I'll have to check into that and maybe purchase some from them as spares, just in case.

Good thread, thanks for posting it.

Apparently a number of the Steel side reefers have zinc pest problems.    I have over a dozen of these cars and at least 3-4 have had the problem.     Most of the trucks were OK.   I bought replacement bolsters from Atlas and it was a screw in repair for the ones that the trucks have fallen off.  

It is very annoying, but I guess it happens.    I have heard rumors that there is a serious of Lionel Diecast locos from the old days that had the same problem.    It is not unique to Atlas.  

At least Atlas has offered a 3 year warranty.