RAILforum: Locomotive Upkeep and Repair Costs

This is topic Locomotive Upkeep and Repair Costs in forum Model Railroading at RAILforum.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
http://www.railforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi/topic/3/44.html

Posted by Robert Coniglio (Member # 127) on :

Does anyone have any experience / views regarding the potential high costs of maintaining todays O-gauge toy train locomotives , especially steamers?

I keep in touch with different manufacturers about various electric train issues , including that of repairs. I would like to learn what the experiences of other operators has been with respect to repair of the newer high-tech items.

Over the past eight months , I have had problems with three locomotives which , if not for the warranty coverage , would have cost me somewhere over $300.00 to remedy.

Even with the warranty coverage , certain Lionel and all MTH items require the owner to pay a shipping fee -one way- to the main factory.

Based upon my experiences to date , I am not sure that I can really afford to operate this high-tech stuff , once the warranties expire.

It almost feels like owning a car , with the surprise failures and maintenance costs.

I know that I am operating the equipment correctly , as I follow the instructions to a tee and re-read them many times over in order to keep them fresh in my mind.

I don't so much mind problems which might develop in complicated sound system electronics , but when the loco lights go out and require factory repair or the locomotive is so designed that to change the main headlight requires service station action ( Lionel Allegheny ) , then I get a bit upset.

So far , this year , I have had to return my Lionel Allegheny twice , my MTH BigBoy twice and my Lionel Mohawk once for repair of problems which occurred through no fault of my own and which I was totally unable to fix on my own.

I am just curious about the experiences of other operators who have had repair problems. I am wondering what I am doing wrong?

If I get enough input indicating that this repair issue is a problem to a significant number of other operators , perhaps there will be justification to push the manufacturers a bit on the subject of repair cost.

Maybe , the manufacturers could improve reliability , provide a better or extended warranty , lower initial prices , etc.

Right now , the toy train industry seems to be quietly slipping into the type of pattern of action long associated with the auto industry.They sell a fantastic-sounding product
( sometimes with inherent design flaws ) which breaks down and generates a conveniently profitable repair bussiness.

In addition , operators are being slowly introduced to a routine of long , undefined waiting times for repairs - again a familiar experience to the automobile owner!

I think that now may be the time for the operator to let the industry know that this developing "Detroit mentality" is unacceptable. Who needs automoble-like problems in a hobby product which is supposed to relieve tensions and take us away from the problems of the everyday world?

While I am a great fan of the high tech toy trains items being created , I do think that operators are being taken advantage of at this point , due in part to the higher complexities of the product and the break neck competition to get new things out on the market.

Without some kind of feel for the experiences and opinions of other operators , I can't really judge if these problems I have had are widespread or not.

Any input which anyone wishes to offer ( pro or con ) will be very much appreciated.

Thanks ,

Robert Coniglio

[This message has been edited by Robert Coniglio (edited 08-29-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Robert Coniglio (edited 08-30-2000).]

Posted by Mike C (Member # 35) on :

Hi Robert I thought I would reply here instead of by e-mail so others would get the most opinions.Wow I am surprised that this is an issue.

. I model in HO scale and most of us never send anything in for repairs. We either fix it ourselves or know someone who will do it for us. Also HO is very relieable and almost never needs repair. I guess I just figured that O scalers had the same expeariance. I remember the O27 set I had as a kid,ran forever, and most likely will run still if I take it out of its boxes. I just assumed todays large scalers had the same quality equipment. I have seen sone of the equipment thats brought out and it does look good. I would have to say that if the equipment that is offered today is as bad as you say, the suppliers will have to show some improvement! I would hesitate to spend big bucks on something that I might have to send back for repairs...JMO....Mike

------------------
Its only money

Posted by millcstl (Member # 60) on :

Robert,
Your topic is an interesting one. I work in HO and, in all honesty, I've not had much experience with returning items to the factory, only have done this twice in the last fifteen years. Both times were handled prompty by the manufacturer. This is not to say I havn't had my share of problems with equipment, but I usually fix it myself or with the help of a friend. The interesting thing however is that I have had NOTHING BUT TROUBLE with those most expensive of items Brass Steam Locomotives. I have had to pine, ponder, and pray over most of the gremlins that seem to infect these machines the moment the box that contains them is opened! Why do these manufacturers produce a product with a motor, which usually means it is meant to be operated, that won't work! Electrial problems, mechanical problems, derailing problems, and on and on and on and on!!!! I would be the first to admit that I am not the finest modeler in the world but do take great pains and caution with trackwork etc. to see that everything is up to NMRA standards. I also work with 32' minimum radii (aprox. 64" in O scale) so this should not be an issue. These are not isolated occurences. I've purchased 8 different brass steamers-- each time hoping that they will run even close to as good as they look, on anything but a tangent track. Regardless of manufacturer, importer, or the attemted invokement of the steam engine gods, I've had the same result--miserable performance.
If these things weren't such a huge investment of the hobby dollar it wouldn't be such a big issue. But these things are expensive! Manufacturers--Make them work!
I've given up on them until I see different results.
Thanks for bringing it up.
Scott