Lionel CSX F40 Major Disappointment

I would take it back to the dealer and let them deal with Lionel. Get your money back.

Rod Miller

Did your dealer perform any of the work as mentioned in the dealer memo that went out from Lionel?  I watched my dealer open up both my Amtrak and CSX F40ph's, rerouted wires and greased 'em up, then ran them on his layout until I was satisified before he even took my money.  Also fixed a bad connection on the smoke unit while he was in there.  He also worked on the hatches to make them easier to get out.

Given all the posts on this forum about the problems that these engines were experiencing, I am surprised you didn't ask them to put it on the track to test before you left the store.  Hope you get your issues resolved.

Classic failure of the F40PH, the issue was the wiring harness for the front light board was not secured and the flywheel chopped it up.  Yours probably got chopped up when it was run at the factory or the dealer, and you got to enjoy the light show.  I watched several of these go in a similar manner.  Both of mine enjoyed a trip back to Lionel.

IMO, all of these should be opened up before running and inspected for wire harness dressing.  They are pretty easy to open up and check the routing of the wire harness.  This is the proper routing for the powered units.  On the ones that aren't properly fixed, the wire runs across the center of the roof and right over the flywheel.  There was an anemic piece of tape holding the wire up, however it wasn't up to the task.

Hey Max! Known problems on these engines unfortunately.

Give us a call, we'll pay shipping both ways and get it fixed for you very quickly. We'll make sure the paint is touched up properly and all. It's a great engine once fixed up.

We're making major improvements in QA and QC this year, and this will be the last time a product is delivered with this level and number of problems. It's 100% unacceptable and we're working hard to prevent any other products from having QC issues outside the norm of typical expected problems.

Dave

Thank you Dave. As I said before, it is very refreshing to hear these comments from Lionel.

Things happen, sometimes out of our control and you are doing your best to make it right. It sounds like you guys are on the right track moving forward.

A lot of us are waiting patiently for the new passenger cars..please double check them before shipping!

Unfortunately, I have (3) Amtrak F40's I need to return to have all the issues fixed. (2) powered and (1) Cabbage. Do I call for a RA?

Thanks.

Donald

3rail 2 posted:

Thank you Dave. As I said before, it is very refreshing to hear these comments from Lionel.

Things happen, sometimes out of our control and you are doing your best to make it right. It sounds like you guys are on the right track moving forward.

A lot of us are waiting patiently for the new passenger cars..please double check them before shipping!

Unfortunately, I have (3) Amtrak F40's I need to return to have all the issues fixed. (2) powered and (1) Cabbage. Do I call for a RA?

Thanks.

Donald

Donald - Just call 586-949-4100 or 800-454-6635 or email TalkToUs@lionel.com and they'll take care of you.

Dave, 

Thanks so much for the response. I will be sure to call once I am home from school (I really shouldn't be on my phone right now but whatever). Anyways, I do have a question. The issues I experienced seemed to happen to most people after they ran their engine for about 20 minutes or so, but mine happened immediently. How was the wire destroyed before I even ran the engine?

I had similar issues and sent it back to Lionel and it was repaired and returned to me in about 2 week. I thought that was very good service. Thanks Lionel. The only thing that would be better is if it didn't happen at all. It is a sweet engine. 

FWIW, mine are running fine for me as well.  Dean, Dave, and the crew are working overtime on these, soon this should just be a bad memory.

Dave Olson posted:

Hey Max! Known problems on these engines unfortunately.

Give us a call, we'll pay shipping both ways and get it fixed for you very quickly. We'll make sure the paint is touched up properly and all. It's a great engine once fixed up.

We're making major improvements in QA and QC this year, and this will be the last time a product is delivered with this level and number of problems. It's 100% unacceptable and we're working hard to prevent any other products from having QC issues outside the norm of typical expected problems.

Dave

Dave,

I'm very happy to hear that as I have a few 2017 Legacy diesels on preorder and the FP40 issues were making me worry. Looking forward to getting them thank you.

I think the F40PH was kind of a one-off kind of issue, I haven't had that level of problems with any other Lionel engine.

Dave that is great to hear from you. You have a tough job I am sure. Lionel does not want a bad rap. Thanks to you,jon and ryan,rudy and howard and all at lionel for standing behind everything that you guys are bringing out. 

I got a used lionmaster legacy challenger it had a bad board sent the boards to cs and they are on thier way back at no cost to me according to the email. Was not expecting this at all since it was bought used. Great customer service and a well engineered product is why I bought the challenger. I love the legacy stuff it runs so smooth. Just got the ns first responder. Payed a little more for the lionel model with legacy than the mth version but it is a flawless paint job and the legacy sounds and crew talk are a real winner. Another lionel home run. Also please petition howard to let you guys do the acela set in a vision line legacy version with jon making the improvments it would be top on the list of must haves. Thanks 

Roger, you forgot Dean.

Good move Dave.   Lionel has sure stepped up for the customers on this.  I do the Lionel at Charles Ro (Dealer10140) and have put several back in service with the excellent fast service on parts from Dean.  Dave, on the hatch fix, a black Sharpie is the hot set up as it does not build up material.