Pat's Trains NYC J3a Hudson: Where's the second boiler front?

Might want to call the store and ask.  Probably might be quicker than waiting for him to see this especially if it gets pushed down.

I have fronts with class lights. I will gladly trade for fronts without class lights. PM me if interested.

Pete

Norton posted:

I have fronts with class lights. I will gladly trade for fronts without class lights. PM me if interested.

Pete

Do you have old/new stock Pete?  The paint might not match the new engines.

New Old Stock. No sign of parts for the new engines at Lionel. Headlight easily swapped for the correct cab number. Painting shouldn't be a big deal. Don't the ones w/o class lights already have black smokeboxes?

Pete

Norton posted:

New Old Stock. No sign of parts for the new engines at Lionel. Headlight easily swapped for the correct cab number. Painting shouldn't be a big deal. Don't the ones w/o class lights already have black smokeboxes?

Pete

You might have a point, I keep forgetting not all the Hudsons came with a Grey/graphite front end.

In a conversation with Pat just after he shipped the engines to his customers (I purchased one of these engines) Pat told me that (paraphrasing since the conversation was several weeks ago) Lionel had informed him that it would be a while before the boiler fronts would arrive.  I have a theory, (yes I said theory, oh the horror) as to why Lionel would say there would be a significant delay.  We have read that Lionel must purchase extra engines and then disassemble them to have parts for warranty repairs, etc.  Lionel needs twenty-five all black boiler fronts with class lights from disassembled engines to satisfy Pat’s customers’ requirements.  Lionel might not have ordered sufficient extra engines with the black boiler fronts and is waiting until additional engines are available (returns perhaps) that can be disassembled.  

Personally I have my doubts that I will receive the boiler front with the class lights but I know better than to say absolutely that I will never receive it.  I hope that some day I am pleasantly surprised when the promised boiler front is delivered in that day’s mail.

I agree with Marty, call Pat and ask him.

MartyE posted:

Might want to call the store and ask.  Probably might be quicker than waiting for him to see this especially if it gets pushed down.

I did back in early January. I didn't get much of an answer, "When they come from Lionel." Since it is something we already paid for I would think he could press them for at least a rough time frame.

Sorry to complain, but, I ordered it because it did have class lights and was supposed to be just like 5410, the one in the set (without having to buy the whole set of course). Having it delivered just the opposite with the plain boiler front was a little disappointing, but expected the second front shortly. Now it's almost 3 months.

I think you just answered your own question then.  Pat is still the best and first place to check.

GregM posted:

In a conversation with Pat just after he shipped the engines to his customers (I purchased one of these engines) Pat told me that (paraphrasing since the conversation was several weeks ago) Lionel had informed him that it would be a while before the boiler fronts would arrive.  I have a theory, (yes I said theory, oh the horror) as to why Lionel would say there would be a significant delay.  We have read that Lionel must purchase extra engines and then disassemble them to have parts for warranty repairs, etc.  Lionel needs twenty-five all black boiler fronts with class lights from disassembled engines to satisfy Pat’s customers’ requirements.  Lionel might not have ordered sufficient extra engines with the black boiler fronts and is waiting until additional engines are available (returns perhaps) that can be disassembled.  

Personally I have my doubts that I will receive the boiler front with the class lights but I know better than to say absolutely that I will never receive it.  I hope that some day I am pleasantly surprised when the promised boiler front is delivered in that day’s mail.

I would bet the boiler fronts don't show up until all the other spare parts show and get listed on Lionels parts website.  From which I've been told takes months after delivery of said engine.

I would think you could return the engine if you are not happy. (since not delivered as promised) Sounds like you are willing to accept the fact you may never see that boiler front.

Seems like not a good way to do business by not delivering as promised. 

Not a good situation. Pat is doing all he can to take care of his customer. He has to work with the constraint of waiting on a model train company delivering on what they told him. 
I wager they will come in eventually - but certainly not fast enough for those who paid and are waiting.

Paul

NYC Fan posted:

MartyE posted:

Might want to call the store and ask.  Probably might be quicker than waiting for him to see this especially if it gets pushed down.

I did back in early January. I didn't get much of an answer, "When they come from Lionel." Since it is something we already paid for I would think he could press them for at least a rough time frame.

Sorry to complain, but, I ordered it because it did have class lights and was supposed to be just like 5410, the one in the set (without having to buy the whole set of course). Having it delivered just the opposite with the plain boiler front was a little disappointing, but expected the second front shortly. Now it's almost 3 months.

Skip, is the engine you got from Pat all black, or is the smoke box and front a graphite color? ....Pat

harmonyards posted:

NYC Fan posted:

MartyE posted:

Might want to call the store and ask.  Probably might be quicker than waiting for him to see this especially if it gets pushed down.

I did back in early January. I didn't get much of an answer, "When they come from Lionel." Since it is something we already paid for I would think he could press them for at least a rough time frame.

Sorry to complain, but, I ordered it because it did have class lights and was supposed to be just like 5410, the one in the set (without having to buy the whole set of course). Having it delivered just the opposite with the plain boiler front was a little disappointing, but expected the second front shortly. Now it's almost 3 months.

Skip, is the engine you got from Pat all black, or is the smoke box and front a graphite color? ....Pat

Pat’s custom run J3A Hudson has an all black boiler, including the boiler front.

*** ETA *** The following photos.

With Pat's permission this picture of Pat's custom J3A Hudson #5416 parked on his store layout was taken by me (I am the copyright holder) on 11/21/2019.

This is the only photo I took of my J3A Hudson when it was on its inaugural run. 

If things go sour, and Lionel doesn’t get these boiler fronts with class lights to Pat, then I can offer up a solution......this is only if things dont go to plan as Pat has intended .....in no means shape or form, am I treading on Pat’s toes, he’s a real good dealer, and I think he’ll press the issue with Lionel and make things right one way or the other.....so in no way am I bashing Pat....with that being said, if you fellas that have the black boiler fronts, with out class lights, and you want one with them, I have a handful of the fronts with lights, I can paint them to dead match the sheen of that black no problems......I’ll just simply trade you front for front....you guys take your front off, and remove your headlight, and keep it there for re-install.....the harness should be there hanging around somewhere in there for the class lights, so this should be an easy swap....I’m only offering this up cause I’d like all my J3’s not to have class lights......if y’all want to wait and see what Pat comes up with, that’s fine by me, I’m just tossin’ my hat in the ring...😉.........Pat

Hey, Guys

In Regards to the Boiler Fronts. I spoke to John Bickford when the Hudsons were delivered and I asked where the extra boiler front was and he said they would be delivered at a later date.  We just need to be patient and they will deliver these . I also want to offer anyone that purchased this engine and you are not happy, please return it to us for a full refund. The Hudson we delivered was the best looking and was true to the prototype. Lionel is a great company and I know they will make this right.  I would also like you to call the store if you have any questions that were not answered by this Post.  I would also like to say if you did not buy one of these Hudsons you missed out on a great engine.

 Thanks 

Best Regards

Pat

Patrick’s Trains

304-232-0714

NYC Fan posted:

Pat's special run of the J3a Hudson was supposed to come with two boiler front, one with classification lights and one without. We received the locomotive in November but it was only delivered with one boiler front without the lights. At the time, Pat said the second front would be coming separately. Love the locomotive but really wanted the class lights.

Has anyone received the second boiler front with the class lights?

Pat, can you keep us updated as to when to expect the second boiler front?

Please understand that Lionel will make this right and the boiler fronts will be delivered. I think you should of called me with your complaint .

Tinplate Art posted:

Seems like not a good way to do business by not delivering as promised. 

Did you buy one of our Hudsons ?

NYC Fan posted:

Pat's special run of the J3a Hudson was supposed to come with two boiler front, one with classification lights and one without. We received the locomotive in November but it was only delivered with one boiler front without the lights. At the time, Pat said the second front would be coming separately. Love the locomotive but really wanted the class lights.

Has anyone received the second boiler front with the class lights?

Pat, can you keep us updated as to when to expect the second boiler front?

Hey, Guys

In Regards to the Boiler Fronts. I spoke to John Bickford when the Hudsons were delivered and I asked where the extra boiler front was and he said they would be delivered at a later date.  We just need to be patient and they will deliver these . I also want to offer anyone that purchased this engine and you are not happy, please return it to us for a full refund. The Hudson we delivered was the best looking and was true to the prototype. Lionel is a great company and I know they will make this right.  I would also like you to call the store if you have any questions that were not answered by this Post.  I would also like to say if you did not buy one of these Hudsons you missed out on a great engine.

 Thanks 

Best Regards

Pat

Patrick’s Trains

304-232-0714

come on give pat a break. I have bought from him for years and he has always been true to his word. return the engine to him if not happy and buy the one from steve. and no imho he should not have held engine until he got part from lionel.. I have bought one from pat and one from steve so think I have some skin in the game. and I will wait for pat to ship them. and happily run my engines in the meantime. 

I have no skin in this game, but posting a dealer problem on the forum should be done ONLY after multiple emails/phone calls to the dealer without a satisfactory response/solution.

According to Skip's second post, his last contact with Pat's store was a month ago!  His next step is here.  IMO, I don't think that's fair to Pat.

PATSTRAINS posted:

Hey, Guys

In Regards to the Boiler Fronts. I spoke to John Bickford when the Hudsons were delivered and I asked where the extra boiler front was and he said they would be delivered at a later date.  We just need to be patient and they will deliver these. I also want to offer anyone that purchased this engine and you are not happy, please return it to us for a full refund. The Hudson we delivered was the best looking and was true to the prototype. Lionel is a great company and I know they will make this right.  I would also like you to call the store if you have any questions that were not answered by this Post.  I would also like to say if you did not buy one of these Hudsons you missed out on a great engine.

 Thanks...

As someone who did NOT order one of these highly detailed and featured engines I think it was wonderful that Pat and the other dealers were able to get Lionel to make their respective Hudsons and that Pat was also able to offer the dual-front choice as well as a full refund to those customers who are not satisfied.  That said, I fully understand the frustration of those buyers when told the secondary boiler front "would be delivered at a (unspecified) later date."  I think Lionel should have provided buyers a more specific timeline on this high-end locomotive.  IMHO this lack of information reinforces the belief that Lionel does not have much oversight or insight into their products' production schedules.  Lionel's unspecified "later date" response also has an insincere "you'll get it when you get it" tone.  We've seen Lionel address a number of their recent production issues, some faster/better than others.  I hope that Lionel can see the importance in maintaining and creating improved customer and dealer relationships with regards to this Hudson project.

OK....are we beating a horse here?  I think Pat explained the best he could under the circumstances.....he will likely give everyone an update as soon as he knows what is going on.  I am sure it is as frustrating for him as it is for those of you that made this purchase.....