Lionel’s new milk car review

@John Knapp posted:

D. Returning these to the dealer (and eventually back to Lionel) seems like the best way to let Lionel know of the problems with these trucks and that they are not really compatible with existing equipment.

John

This is true with any defective item from the box that requires more than just putting a screw back in or a minor detail part to be re-attached.  By "fixing" these problems we accept mediocrity.  Any manufacturer that sees this will just continue to push out the same knowing we'll take care of it ourselves.

Dave NYC,

Just saw your video, and glad that you also contacted Lionel. I too send an separate email to Dave Olson several weeks ago detailing the issues with the couplers. I do NOT have the milk car, but did buy a CNW Friendship car that has the same issues.

I hope that Lionel will step up to the plate and correct this serious issue not only on future releases, but will send new trucks and couplers to those of us that purchased these defective designed trucks/couplers at no cost.

When other manufactures were informed of issues on new releases, they not only fixed future releases, but shipped replacement parts to owners at no costs, Atlas and Athearn are 2 that I personally know of.

I really would like to buy the entire Friendship fleet that Lionel announces, 6 cars, but until I know the issue will be fixed, I won't buy any of the new freight cars from Lionel.

As I see it, both Lionel and those of us that refuse to buy new cars with this defective design, it's a lose/lose proposition.

RAY

I Know Lionel, and the powers to be are aware of these issues.  What really bugs me is their silence on all these issues over the years.  Admit there's an issue, say we are looking into it.  Tell us if you are going to do something or not.  PLEASE.  Communication and honesty would go a long way in restoring my faith in Lionel.

I think these trucks are here to stay and since it's so easy to remove and replace these couplers from off the trucks. It would be easy if Lionel were to offer new couplers.  I can see that happening.  Will it?   who knows.

@Ray of sunshine posted:

Dave NYC,

Just saw your video, and glad that you also contacted Lionel. I too send an separate email to Dave Olson several weeks ago detailing the issues with the couplers. I do NOT have the milk car, but did buy a CNW Friendship car that has the same issues.

I hope that Lionel will step up to the plate and correct this serious issue not only on future releases, but will send new trucks and couplers to those of us that purchased these defective designed trucks/couplers at no cost.

When other manufactures were informed of issues on new releases, they not only fixed future releases, but shipped replacement parts to owners at no costs, Atlas and Athearn are 2 that I personally know of.

I really would like to buy the entire Friendship fleet that Lionel announces, 6 cars, but until I know the issue will be fixed, I won't buy any of the new freight cars from Lionel.

As I see it, both Lionel and those of us that refuse to buy new cars with this defective design, it's a lose/lose proposition.

RAY

Ray, it's not my video, but I do agree that Lionel needs to address this with a fix. This is going to be very damaging to their sales of they don't get a fix for this as I have already stated elsewhere that I am not getting any rolling stock out of the new catalog because of truck and coupler potential issues. I say potential because of the descriptions on all the cars in the O-Scale section of the catalog. They all appear to be trucks not being sprung trucks. On the O-Gauge side however, there seems to be a great variety of diecast sprung trucks. Seems to be backwards to me as usually the high-end stuff has diecast sprung trucks. The couplers vary in their descriptions so it is hard to determine if they will be a distorted lobster claw like the milk cars have and the hoppers too(if that was the case).

It seems that this is the new norm for now, and is a great disappointment. As Gary said, Lionel is going to have to restore our faith in them, which if they fail on this, it's on them. I really hope that they get on here to go into how they will fix this, especially before the cutoff on the new catalog as they lose more sales. As far as changing my mind on rolling stock purchases for this catalog, there is almost no interest in what they offered, so that is also partly why I'm not buying.

Gary (Superwarp), you hit it on the head. There needs to be a statement from Lionel. I know that they are reading these posts and getting a lot of separate emails complaining about the seriousness of the issue. I am sure they are tired of hearing all these complaints and I hope they are working on a fix.

If they are, they need to tell us, even if it just a quick response. I don't expect an immediate solution, but sure would like to know that they are "looking in to the issue".

I am sure that other manufacturers, Atlas, Bachmann, Sunset, Menards, even MTH and others, are not happy with the negative issues Lionel is getting. Neither is OGR, CTT and other model magazines. This bashing of Lionel doesn't help our hobby.

I'm a die hard Lionel fan and supporter. We all want them to continue to succeed. All this bashing and complaining (I'm one of them) now needs to be turned into a positive. And only Lionel can make that happen by coming out and telling us what they are planning on doing about these issues. 

There are several, as I understand it. A poorly designed truck and coupler, I still say it's a "defect", and the paint flaking.

So, it's time, Mr. Howard Hitchcock to post a message that addresses these issues.

Thank you,

RAY