What's the worst Non-factory repair by a "professional"

scale railOGR Forum Member

This happened in the late 70's when I didn't know how to fix much and was buying lot's on used Lionel. I got a F-3 Santa Fe that didn't run. Took it to the local sales/repair shop for a fix. The guy said "no problem" I can fix any engine. Picked it up a week later and the guy said it runs like a top. Put it on the track and the motors ran fine. Only problem was the F-3 wouldn't move. He had wired the motors wrong and they were running in different directions. What's your story? Don

11/5/139:28 PM

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RickOOGR Forum Member

An "authorized Lionel repair center" replaced a smoke unit in an unpowered TMCC F unit when I first switched over from H.O. back in 2005. Three cab steps were busted off of the shell, the front electrocoupler plug was pulled out and I had wires visible inside the cab windows.

Not the worst I suppose, I now do my own smoke unit repair, anything major will go to Lionel Ohio from now on.

11/5/139:39 PM

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John23OGR Forum Member

Back in the 80's I had a 726 that had a couple of loose drivers. I sent it to a guy who advertised himself as the "Train Doctor". When I received it back I found that he had used a hammer & cold chisel to pound on the ends of the axles - leaving big grooves in the drivers - and he did it to all of the drivers. I was not happy.

11/5/139:49 PM

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