Lionchief + GP7 Northern Pacific returned to Hobby Store

KURTDS,

          Sorry about your bad luck.  For a model train enthusiast there may be no worse feeling than buying a brand new engine that doesn't work properly right out of the box.  I have had this misfortune happen to me but wasn't lucky enough to have the hobby store only ten minutes away.  

OKHIKER posted:

KURTDS,

          Sorry about your bad luck.  For a model train enthusiast there may be no worse feeling than buying a brand new engine that doesn't work properly right out of the box.  I have had this misfortune happen to me but wasn't lucky enough to have the hobby store only ten minutes away.  

I can't agree more. One time after I got home from the hobby shop (which is a short while away from myself) the train I purchased would not run at all. I did get a refund and eventually a replacement, but it is a bad feeling. KURTDS, I hope that you get your replacement soon, as you seemed very excited about this engine from your post. Good luck.

Thanks. I will get one soon as I am hooked. Here in Portland having any new stock on the display to sell is very rare as they would rather you pre order everything. I understand they do not want to be stuck with something nobody wants. On the other hand seeing it first hand and being able to see what it can do to me is a great selling point. I see via the Internet there are some for sale on line. With this being last years stock I will go this route and not wait to see if my Train store gets another one in. If you go to the Lionel store they are out of stock. So I doubt the Train store I go to will be able to get one. 

Hi Kurt,

 Was that Whistlestop?, Great bunch of guys there, they will treat you right. I've been a Whistlestop customer through several ownerships, clear back to when Bob opened the store on Stark Street in 1974, when I had to have my parents drive me there.

I wouldn't mind meeting a local 3 railer, my email is daogrady@Hotmail.com, if you would like to chat off forum.

Doug

Yes Doug it is Whistlestop and they are fantastic! I just built my layout this last April after everything was boxed up for years. If you click on my profile there is a Facebook page you can visit to see my layout.

Cheers Kurt

Charley, the owner knows me well, it is a Dangerous place for my budget. I am jealous that you recently built a layout, I don't a room where we are now, and know that we will likely be moving by summer, so a layout I not in the short term future, but will be a consideration when we move.

Doug

At Ready to Roll in Miami any engine sold is tested before the customer leaves the store.    Also, true of all engines sold on eBay.    

I too purchased the Lion Chief  GP7 Northern Pacific in 2015. Mine suffered the same issue as mentioned in this thread. Took it to my local hobby shop. They claimed they repaired it. I got it home and the issue still presented itself. I looked in the instructions which said this could be a problem and if so take engine to an authorized repair shop or send it to Lionel. I called Lionel and sent the engine to them. When speaking to them, they were very gracious. They repaired the engine within 3 weeks or so. Haven't had a problem with it since.

Wow I got a full refund but I do want the unit so I will call the owner to let them know.

Kurt, I am not surprised, you confirmed off forum it was Whistlestop, they are a Very Reputable dealer, and will do right by you. If another is available, I am sure they will get it for you as quickly as possible. If You do talk to Charley, tell him Hi for me.

Doug

I will call on Monday. They did give me a full refund but I do want this engine. If they can get me another one or have this one repaired I will buy it! I would rather get it from them to support the local shops then get else ware.

I would always want to see the new engine run in the hobby shop.  I bought a MTH Premier S2 from English Model RR shop years ago.  He demonstrated it for me and he had issues making it work initially but we eventually got it running fine.  We were both interested in having it work properly.  I purchased it and have never had another problem with it. Go figure.   But with the complexity of new engines and all the wiring I believe every shop worth their salt should demo the engine before it leaves the store.  Do you buy a new car without test driving it?  

You are correct and did that in the past when I purchased a Ready to Run set from them that was used. They check to make sure everything was there and ran the locomotive to make sure it work. Living 10 minutes away from the place made it easy to return. They gave me a refund no questions asked.  Their test track is very short and I don't think we would have seen the issue I had it. No worries as it was sorted out.