Lionel Support: Out of Warranty Repairs not being taken at this time

Ed, I would suggest to look up Mike Reagan here on the forum, I'm sure he can help you out with the repairs on your VLBB

Mike works for TW Trainworx, Forum sponsor. http://www.twtrainworx.com/

Nick

They have not taken out of warranty trains for a couple of years. Last Feb they told me to try back in a couple of months. Very foolish not to take out of warranty repairs. How many train shops can figure out how to work on a VL loco. At least we have Mike Reagan..

This has been happening after Christmas for at least 5 years.  Lionel puts priority on  warranty repairs and with a large percentage of their sales happening at Christmas,  the two or three first months of the year require a  disproportionate amount of time.  When this has happened to me, it is usually late March to early April before their backlog is managable and they start taking out of warranty repairs.

Happy railroading,

Don

Thanks Gents.  i called Mike and I'll be shipping the Beast to him today.  

Yes Mike is certainly a good way to go.  

Besides, hes not backlogged with 1000 moguls that need new gear assemblies 

I had the same thing, VLBB acted very similar to yours.  I also got the same response, no out of warranty until late March, if you can't wait a Lionel service center could take it now.  But I was able to get it fixed with some emails and parts ordered.  I'm not afraid of doing the work myself.

I’ve opened my VL Hudson to replace fan motors and batting but I get weak kneed when it comes to the  VLBB. I thought it prudent to let a pro fix it, especially with it acting so erratically. I do admire folks that DIY the VL products. 

Hi All,

Mike Reagan is now the East Coast Director of TW TrainWorx and not only can handle repairs but a well kept secret is his Traintastic Design/Fabrication talents! We are truly blessed to have an amazing duo of Farkash and Reagan who together with our talented Traingineers have all aspects of YOUR custom layout needs absolutely COVERED!

We're talking; design, fabrication, engineering, repairing, layout assessment, model making and of course installing your layout ensuring not a second is wasted for train running, memory making, fun to be had!

Here is Mike's contact information:

mreagan@twtrainworx.com
(330) 519-4831

Happy Tracks!

TrainDame aka Dorcie Farkash
TW TrainWorx
(214) 634-2965
Dallas, TX | Concord, NC
www.blog.traindame.com 
www.trainworxlayouts.com

DGJONES posted:

This has been happening after Christmas for at least 5 years.  Lionel puts priority on  warranty repairs and with a large percentage of their sales happening at Christmas,  the two or three first months of the year require a  disproportionate amount of time.  When this has happened to me, it is usually late March to early April before their backlog is managable and they start taking out of warranty repairs.

Happy railroading,

Don

One has to wonder why so many failures in such a short time? 🙁

ToledoEd posted:

I’ve opened my VL Hudson to replace fan motors and batting but I get weak kneed when it comes to the  VLBB. I thought it prudent to let a pro fix it, especially with it acting so erratically. I do admire folks that DIY the VL products. 

Actually the VLBB has been one of the easiest locomotives I have ever opened and worked on.  I just need to sit down and rebuild the smoke units before I put the boiler back on.

OK, the next time smoke units need  servicing, I'll try it.  This time, the unit was so erratic and I  really couldn't isolate the  problem to a smoke unit, I decided to turn it over  to a pro.  Thanks for the encouragement though...

With all the Moguls they will be getting over the next six months, I'd bet this policy will be extended.  Warranty only.   There's so many hobby shops and forum members that do repair.  GGG, Gunrunner, Marty F and others it shouldn't be a issue.

I do not advertise on the Forum or look  for work.  Many do advertise that have a certified Lionel tech and I suggest you contact them.  My good friend Mike Reagan comes to my mind.  He has been known to fix a train or two.  I mainly do Lionel and MTH repairs for Charlie Ro and see hundreds f engines  engines each year.  Charlie sells a lot of trains.  I have a few friends I take care of.  I do my own MTH work for people.  Any forum member with a question about Lionel can contact me as I am a Lionel tech  and have access to the Lionel tech only site.

Please be patient with Lionel as Dean is working very hard to make things happen.  Customer Service at Lionel is very lucky to have him.   Any Vision that was purchased from Charles Ro can be taken care of by me.   I get emails every day from guys who buy broken junk  from fleabay.   I feel sorry for them but their problems they bought into are not going to be my problems.  I have more than enough good work to keep me busy.  

The OGR Forum is a great resource for getting anything fixed.  Use it and you will have good luck.

Marty, Dean is terrific, for sure.  All of my previous experiences with Lionel Customer Service  and Dean have been outstanding.  

By the way, did you ever find your info on how to replace the IR connection on the Acela with wires?  

I apologize for not getting back to you.  I will mark your post and get it to you.

Marty

"One has to wonder why so many failures in such a short time? 🙁"

Do we know the number?  We just know they're busy.  Given the small number of warranty repair staff (?2), the large number of trains sold relative to that number of staff (? hundreds of thousands, certainly tens of thousands of locomotives), the frequency of shipping damage, abuse and user error, I'm surprised they get anything done. 

May be difficult to justify significant staff increase when the work is seasonal, or, more likely,  perhaps there is a shortage of people suited to undertaking this sort of repair work. 

In short, I would suspect your comment doesn't address the complexity of the issues, and is grossly unfair.

I thought one of the perks of Vision Line products was supposed special treatment with service. I could understand a general no out of warranty policy, but I think they should take Vision items.

How old is your Vision line engine?