New Lionel/TCA Santa Fe SD40-2 Arrived...

Mike....I feel your pain all the way down under in Australia.

That would devastate me if it happened, as we don't have any "Lionel" or "MTH" dealers where I live. I would have to package it up and send it back all the way to America, and then play the waiting game!!!

Fortunately all the new locos (MTH) I have purchased have arrived safe and sound, and worked straight out of the box.

All I can say is Good Luck!!

Peter on the fabulous Gold Coast in sunny Queensland, Australia

Most unfortunate, if Lionel would only hire a few people to examine their imports before shipping out to their customers, damage such as this could be avoided. Good luck with your replacement...

Apparently these are being opened and inspected before leaving Lionel...same with the Challengers.  You can see where they cut the tape and fumbled with the box tabs....the engine was placed foam tray upside down in the orange box.    All of the Lion Chief items have been perfect.  Perhaps due to simpler manufacturing...or from a different vendor.   The packaging of these locos from TCA was perfect.

It looks like the screws are missing from the pilot handrails.

Andrew

That is not at all a good sign. 

Geez another screw up, when is Lionel going to correct this problem?

Dave

I suspect it was fine when it was inspected and Lionel QC tape seal installed.   It may be as simply as the 2 handrail screws backed out during transport/delivery due to vibration (conveyer belts, gravel road, pot holes, etc.).  Screw them back in and good as new.  Nothing looks broken from the photo. 

Steims posted:

I suspect it was fine when it was inspected and Lionel QC tape seal installed.   It may be as simply as the 2 handrail screws backed out during transport/delivery due to vibration (conveyer belts, gravel road, pot holes, etc.).  Screw them back in and good as new.  Nothing looks broken from the photo. 

That seems to be nothing more than a excuse. I have had 100's of engines shipped to me and not one like the damage to engines from Lionel these past few years.

Maybe They should look into thier packing, the mfg., vendors shipping the products. But stop making excuses and fix the issues. It is incredible that people still buy Lionel products without seeing them first. If your using the BTO way your only asking for trouble. See it, test it, then take delivery. 

Dave

I received my two SF SD40-2’s today and all handrails were detached from the body. They are not screwed in. They are depressed in. Part of the problem is the packaging or lack of it. Like I’ve said before, the coupler needs added protection so it doesn’t vibrate during shipping. I did glue back the handrails but if you store the engine, the styrofoam protector will break the handrail off again. 

Yep no screws.  Pilot handrail was broken with remnants of the plastic from the body still attached.  they are pressed into the body and possibly heat sealed.  Pilot and coupler bent beyond repair...per photos I provided.  

My non tca sd40's last year had the exact same issues. Its the packaging thats bad. All the front couplers were hanging from loose screws and a few the pilot completely detached. I've stopped ordering Lionel engines, and thats a shame as there are several I would like to own. 

david1 posted:

It is incredible that people still buy Lionel products without seeing them first. If your using the BTO way your only asking for trouble. See it, test it, then take delivery. 

Dave

That's great if you live near a large dealer. For most folks in the country, including where I am, there aren't any dealers that handle new stuff. See it, test it, then take delivery? - that's not possible. We have no choice but to order and take our chances.

breezinup posted:

david1 posted:

It is incredible that people still buy Lionel products without seeing them first. If your using the BTO way your only asking for trouble. See it, test it, then take delivery. 

Dave

That's great if you live near a large dealer. For most folks in the country, including where I am, there aren't any dealers that handle new stuff. See it, test it, then take delivery? - that's not possible. We have no choice but to order and take our chances.

Find a dealer that will give it a visual inspection and test run it before shipping it to you. 

I think Mr. Muffin will do that. If the dealer refuses don't buy it, simple. These are not must have items. 

Dave

Guess I was a lucky one, mine came with no problems, looks stunning and runs perfectly.  But, I did find one problem when running it.  There was enough slop in the pilot/plow/coupler that it caught on a spot where my third rail connections between a Gar Graves switch and the adjacent track had slight hump.  So, I unscrewed the plate holding the pilot on, added a thin shim of styrene, rescrewed the plate in and the amount of slop is now fine and no problems left.

I find that too many of my Lionel locomotives (AC6000s, ES44s, SD40s, SD70s, etc.) can move an excessive amount axially when boxed up.  That is what is contributing to the breaking of MU hoses on ES44s, front handrails and couplers on others.  Allowing any movement along with repeated handling of the package during shipment is the problem.   I typically will squeeze in some extra styrofoam peanuts during shipments.  Lionel needs to put more focus on secure packaging otherwise they are wasting profits and turning off potential buyers.     

Opened my Powered and Dummy combo today. Very bummed to see issues with both. Powered unit rear platform bent down and unpowered unit hand rails off and lots of stuff rattling around inside the shell.

First Lionel Engine purchases in awhile and don't know how to proceed. Do I return to the TCA? Call / Email Lionel for help? Drive almost two hours to a Large Lionel Dealer (Charles Ro)?

Thanks for any help provided.

Paul

What a shame. Return it to TCA. Let them deal with Lionel. They’ll probably have others to deal with. 

Railrunnin posted:

Opened my Powered and Dummy combo today. Very bummed to see issues with both. Powered unit rear platform bent down and unpowered unit hand rails off and lots of stuff rattling around inside the shell.

First Lionel Engine purchases in awhile and don't know how to proceed. Do I return to the TCA? Call / Email Lionel for help? Drive almost two hours to a Large Lionel Dealer (Charles Ro)?

Thanks for any help provided.

Paul

My Susie Q has issues, I contacted the METCA rep, and he advised me to speak with Lionel.... about to call them now, will advise of the outcome. 

Thanks Chris

Paul

I received the 1933133 UP non- powered unit and the pilots don’t appear to have any sagging.

Neal Jeter

No sagging but.......       https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...inematic-katastrophe