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Post by ztrack on Dec 1, 2015 8:28:09 GMT -5
Doug we absolutely acknowledge this issue. We have been replacing chassis as e have the parts. This is a situation that we did not have parts on hand as it is not a part that we thought would fail. As for the reports, that is true. Last year I knew of only two instances, but this had grown now to approximately 8.
Part of the issue here is there were individuals who were very vocal when this issue first arose and we did not have parts. They dragged AZL through the mud on the forums. But what was odd, was when they got their replacement chassis free of cost, not one of these folks came back on the forums to share that AZL took care of them. This has lead to lots of misinformation.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that of DCC instals voiding warranties. This is absolutely not true. If you follow the instructions on installing the decoders, we will warranty the locomotive. Breaking a chassis falls under this category.
For those warning you not to contact AZL, they are hurting you, These are likely the same guys who were taken care off, but not willing to own up that their problem was solved. We must know about these issues. What I am doing is logging those with broken chassis and sending replacements as soon as I have parts available. As Rob mentioned above, we are producing extra parts with the new run of 38s so this should be a mute point soon.
My email is rob@ztrack.com
Rob
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Post by shamoo737 on Dec 1, 2015 9:28:06 GMT -5
Yes, get in touch with Rob. He replaced a chassis for me. My suggestion when something is wrong, get in touch with Rob.
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Post by tjdreams on Dec 1, 2015 9:54:15 GMT -5
Dave & Doug
Don't get discouraged. I have a considerable collection of AZL, MTL, and Marklin Locomotives and have never had one or even heard of one with the problems you have described. Its Rare that we hear of a
Problem Loco from AZL. In fact AZL has the most reliable Best running Z-scale Locomotives on the market today.
Just because you have had a bad experience with a loco or 2 don't discount the Scale or even the manufacture. No matter how good a manufacture is defects happen to us all in every scale. No one or product is perfect 100% of the time.
Don't let this one problem/setback turn you away from Z scale trains or the manufacture. Contact AZL for help and Treat it like you would derailed car, Stop the train for a second, put the car back on the tracks or replace it with a different one, throttle up, and continue on with the fun of running your trains.
David
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Post by catt on Dec 1, 2015 15:46:34 GMT -5
I had the loose PC board problem (still haven't figured that out the loco ran great till I pulled the shell for painting)anyway resetting the board and one of the tabs broke off.I made sure I had good contact with the board and put a small dab of thick CA where the tab broke.No more loose board. I would like to cast my vote for a replacement frame incase one of my three decide to return to powder.I do plan to buy some more of these because there is no such thing as to many GP38-2s.  I will add this right here,if you have a frame problem let Rob know,but at least be civil about it after all he's only human (or so he claims  ). |
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Post by DAZed on Dec 1, 2015 18:00:04 GMT -5
OK, I just sent Rob a message.
I wouldn't say I'm discouraged about Z, but maybe "anxious" is a better word as I hate the thought that such a great little locomotive will simply become unusable as the failures mount up. And the GP38-2 is the key locomotive I need so I need them to be solid. (in every way) Performance-wise it is truly a beautiful locomotive to see in action. That is why I was willing to spend the money to look into a custom built frame that would hold up. Money is not "no object" but getting two that run good and don't break would be key and I would pony up for that. Now that "new and improved" frames are on the horizon, hopefully that solves it.
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Post by BAZman on Dec 2, 2015 0:12:19 GMT -5
it is only the GP38 that has the soft casting. ALL others are quality.
There are many on the forums that bought up the 5 & 10 packs of 'paint your own' GP38's so I hope that many will part with the chassis they no longer want after de-shelling them for bash ups.
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Post by bloodynose on Dec 2, 2015 2:20:38 GMT -5
I'm sorry to say that one of my first UP GP38s was delivered totally saturated with a very light oil or something... it did not run when I put it on the tracks so I pulled off the shell and noticed that the CB was not in place. I tried to set it and saw that the tabs were not even close to making good contact and () I tried to bend the tabs back down to make better contact to the board and ended up fracturing them and to make a long story short that loco ended up falling to its death on the concrete! I blamed its delivered condition on the retailer that I had ordered it from and never ordered from them again believing that they had shipped me someone else's return... maybe I was wrong???
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Post by Rob Albritton on Dec 2, 2015 7:27:40 GMT -5
I'm sorry to say that one of my first UP GP38s was delivered totally saturated with a very light oil or something... it did not run when I put it on the tracks so I pulled off the shell and noticed that the CB was not in place. I tried to set it and saw that the tabs were not even close to making good contact and ( ) I tried to bend the tabs back down to make better contact to the board and ended up fracturing them and to make a long story short that loco ended up falling to its death on the concrete! I blamed its delivered condition on the retailer that I had ordered it from and never ordered from them again believing that they had shipped me someone else's return... maybe I was wrong??? We stand by our products. Period. That means that we will do what we can to repair or replace. All we ask for is fairness in the process. If it is a manufacturing problem - we will take care of it free of charge. It should work out of the box. If it doesn't we ask that you try a few simple things to get it going again before sending it back to us our your dealer. That helps everyone because if you can get it working with a few quick things, then you are not without your locomotive for a couple of weeks while it goes back and forth, and we have one less thing to deal with. If you damage it, then we will still help you get it going again, but we simply ask that you pay for the parts and labor required to do so. In the case above, when you saw that the tabs were not even close to making contact, then that was the point where you have to make a call. Either you're going to do it yourself, or send it back to us. Once it hits the concrete floor, its on you. Again: we will help you get it going again - just ask and we will get you parts or point you in the direction of a service person. Specifically regarding the GP38-2, I have tested many of these locomotives. There are a small number of them that appear to have been made with less than optimal metal forging techniques. In these cases, the metal is a bit brittle. We have replacement parts, and we will make them right. Please do NOT assume that if you locomotive stops running it is because of this. Is only impacts a very small number of locomotives. There are plenty of reasons for a locomotive to have performance problems (dirt, bad PCB contact, traction tire placement, motor issues, truck assembly, etc, etc) Also, it does NOT void a warranty to install a DCC circuit board in your locomotive. Rule of thumb: you should never need to use any tools on our locomotives except for a small screwdriver on the screws. Think of the metal chassis as being made of clay. If you put more pressure on it than you would a similar clay part, then you run the risk of damaging it. Do NOT force anything! If it is damaged when you put in the DCC part, please contact us. If it requires a return, we will be able to determine through examination if it was improperly manufactured, or it simply had too much pressure applied. We want you to be satisfied and enjoy our products! Best, -Rob(A) |
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Post by domi on Dec 2, 2015 11:43:25 GMT -5
We do have another full run of GP38-2 with multiple road names planned for release in early 2016, but in the meantime, we had a short production run of Genesee & Wyoming GP38-2 that we will release before Christmas. Genesee & Wyoming!!! Wow!!!! Which subsidiaries? Ferrocarril Chiapas Mayab, amongst others?   Dom |
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Post by Rob Albritton on Dec 2, 2015 15:12:23 GMT -5
Actually, the locos are painted in generic Genesee & Wyoming corporate colors. The logo area is left a bit blank so you can letter for your favorite sub. Attachments:
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Post by patrice on Dec 2, 2015 20:33:07 GMT -5
Wonderful idea ! I now will have to find somebody to produce the decals for Quebec Gatineau including the french version of the "zero injuries" logo. Are the logos removable ? I have never tried to do that.  |
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Post by ztrack on Dec 2, 2015 22:24:09 GMT -5
I did a quick search of the G&W subsidiaries. There is an amazing number of version used on the rail road. Here is just a sampling:  Rob |
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Post by christoff on Dec 3, 2015 11:16:54 GMT -5
I would like to add my 2 cents to this I ordered an E8 and it was DOA an I tried to email rob and it never went through so I put up a post on the forum rob then emailed me and 100% sorted the issue that I was having
I feel AZL has amazing customer service and great communication with there customers in the case that you get that one that just doesn't run properly AZL will make it right for you they have for me anyway
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Post by domi on Dec 3, 2015 15:28:16 GMT -5
Actually, the locos are painted in generic Genesee & Wyoming corporate colors. The logo area is left a bit blank so you can letter for your favorite sub. Very interresting!! As I have many decals for my favourite mexican route, I guess I'll take at least 2 units when they're available... Dom |
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Post by domi on Dec 3, 2015 15:30:59 GMT -5
Wonderful idea ! I now will have to find somebody to produce the decals for Quebec Gatineau including the french version of the "zero injuries" logo. Are the logos removable ? I have never tried to do that. View AttachmentIn my opinion: download your requested logo anywhere, then try to open it the right size MS Paint software. Then you only have to print it... Dom |
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