Product Update: SDL39 Pilot Modification 

Thank you for your support, Michael. We appreciate it. -Drayton

Those are models sent in for repairs. They will either be sent back to the customer or sold in Discount Depot on our website. -Drayton

Well, now you know. Let us know via Support@ScaleTrains.com if we can assist you further. -Drayton

Thanks for your support. -Drayton

Thank you very much! -Drayton

Your welcome Drayton

Our pleasure! We are glad this video was able to help those affected. -Drayton

Thanks for watching, Robert. We hope it helped. -Drayton

@@Scaletrains thanks for the response back

I noticed those, too!

Several of us are modelers too. I have Athearn, ExactRail, Rapido, Tangent, and many more on my shelf. Shane

@@Scaletrains Always a great sign.

No mark, just wishes that that scale trains had a superior product like ATHERAN has and can only dream about that in his dreams

We're happy to supply washers. Please complete this form: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfm1avN_hpNJ67LzqJniSPg9_coI3cK_Mf41X3zeWB8Ouq6RQ/viewform. Shane

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching. -Drayton

Yes, these issues will be corrected on our second run. -Drayton

@@Scaletrains sweet. I'll have to get the second run if I don't get the first

Good deal! -Drayton

Glad to hear that yours is perfect! Not every model in this run was affected by this issue. -Drayton

Many thanks. We're glad it helped. -Drayton

Paul: we agree. We identified the issue on the product samples and our factory assured us the issue would be remedied prior to shipping. The next models we checked were fine. Some models do not exhibit this issue and others do. If you do not want to fix the locomotives yourself, please complete this form (docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSfm1avN.../viewform). We'll be happy to help. Shane

Yes. Please complete this form: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfm1avN_hpNJ67LzqJniSPg9_coI3cK_Mf41X3zeWB8Ouq6RQ/viewform. Shane

We'll certainly be offering another run of SD40T-2s in the future. -Drayton

Yes, we will continue to offer GE models. -Drayton

local hobby shop

@@IsaacAmadeo Slight issue: i have none

Send ScaleTrains an email.

@@mikeytrains1 Ebay

Send them an email, they sent out a survey in their recent newsletter where you can directly ask for them to send washers to you.

The SDLs sat pretty high up irl, and keep in mind that export trucks are a bit wonky compared to what we’re used to, so it’s pretty alright

Sometimes compromises have to be made when scaling the prototype to model form. A few people expressed concern about the distance between the trucks and the frame rails on the original announcement samples. For production, we lowered the frame rails as much as possible without interfering with the brake parts in operation. The trucks must be able to move up and down to compensate for trackwork that is less than perfect. At most, the difference between the gap on the prototype and model is a few thousands of an inch. If we had not done this, the model would not operate on many layouts. Shane

@@Scaletrains great answer Shane

Several of us are modelers too. I have several Athearn, ExactRail, Rapido, Tangent, etc. models. Shane

@@Scaletrains i would assume so, since ya'll own a model railroad company. I just find it funny they made the video. :) - I initially thought ya'll were comparing the competition to yours.

When we received the production samples, we noticed the drooping pilots on some, not all SDL39s. We notified our factory and included a video on how to remedy the situation. Our factory assured us the locomotives would be inspected and fixed prior to shipping. The next models we checked were fine. After we shipped to customers, we became aware that some locomotives still had drooping pilots. Since there is no way to go back in time, we had to find a solution that helps modelers who have a locomotive with this issue. This includes this video if someone would like to take care of the problem themselves. As it says in this video description, “If you’re uncomfortable working on your locomotive… …please click the link below and complete the form. We’re happy to help.” If a customer does not want to insert the washers themselves, they can complete the form. We’ll email a call tag to ship the locomotive back at our expense. We will add the washers and then ship the model at no charge. As mentioned in last week’s email newsletter, we’re also inspecting the inventory on our shelf and making adjustments as needed. In addition, we’re working with retailers on their store stock as well as models they’ve sold. Our factory has already sent us test shots of the revised tooling for review so this does not happen on future production runs. We believe we’ve developed a comprehensive plan to remedy the situation. Also, the Internet would lead one to believe there’s an issue with every SDL39 which is not true. Outside of the drooping pilot issue, the defective rate is less than 1%. Keep in mind, over 1,000,000 parts were hand-assembled and hand inspected during the production process. A small number of models are likely to slip through with a crooked detail part; a detail part that has come loose (we err on too little glue than too much; a part that comes off can easily be reattached; a part with glue that’s oozed cannot be fixed); a separate etched-metal Milwaukee Road Herald that was applied upside down (we've only seen 1); etc. You can rest assured that if an issue arises with any ScaleTrains model you purchase, we will work together to find a resolution even if the issue is not our fault like non-ESU decoders not being compliant with current NMRA standards. Shane

@@Scaletrains thank you Scaletrains! It's always nice to see a company stand behind their product and with their customers when problems arise. Now where's that Speedlettering SP GP35?

do you know english

Scaletrain Locos are on par for pricing compared to Athearn. I feel they're cheaper than the new Athearns. If you want the quality of the new locos you'll have to pay the price, tooling isn't free. If you don't like the price then buy some old Athearns and detail them yourself. Yes the pilot issue was a huge blunder, but Scaletrains is quick to fix the issue.

You're right, Andrew. This should not have happened. We actually caught this issue in production and the factory assured us it would be fixed before the locomotives were shipped. On the next samples we checked, they were fine. As folks have noted in this thread, some locomotives do not exhibit this issue and others do. Before you accuse of being out to make a quick buck, I'd suggest watching How Model Trains Are Made (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-WoxtnAYGwrc.html). You'll learn creating railroad, road number, and era specific locomotives with over 1,000,000 hand-assembled parts in a production run is not as easy as you believe it is. Shane

@@71sixpak it's about quality control and the customer should not have to fix defects that scale trains knew about and they still shipped them out duping the consumer and now the consumer has to fix them I'm sorry but that's very wrong

@@andrewhayek6573 I guess you didn't buy any the Athearn Genesis SD60M's either, I feel this is an easier fix. If you find a perfect locomotive out-of-box, please let us know. I'm sure everyone would like to know about it.

@@71sixpak Great point!