I recently purchased a Broadway EMD SD40-2 in Union Pacific livery from my favorite train shop (Johnsons) in Pensacola Florida, I had a choice of two, the first made a strange clicking sound in the drive, I rejected it and purchased the second one on offer which was fine. After about an hours run time , spread over a few weeks this also started to make a strange noise, it was not right. I tried contacting Broadway by "E’ mail and by telephone as to what to do to have this problem fixed, I had no reply from Broadway in any form I returned this unit to Johnsons who subsequently returned it to Broadway. After checking progress on its repair with Johnsons I was informed that this unit had to be returned to the manufacturer’s whoever they may be, for repair, replacement is not possible as this unit has been sold out by Broadway, a return date to me is not available nor can be estimated by Broadway. I have several other units from Broadway all of which have no problems. Has anybody else run into problems with this specfic unit and how did you get it resolved, its an expensensive toy to be lost in never never land. I have no issue with Johnsons only Broadway.
Thanks
Daisy
Daisy, it is disconcerting when you think that an expensive loco is lost. I am surprised about your experience with BLI because I have had replies in less than two hours! I have a steamer in the mail to them as we speak, and they even waived the fact that I had neglected to register the loco when I bought it three months ago.
Broadway had a rather surly rep getting back to people with unkind answers in the past few weeks, but I read in another thread that that person has had his/her leash jerked.
Please try again to contact their sevrice department and the fellow/gal who replies is sure to be as helpful as possible. They were prompt and conciliatory to me just yesterday.
Broadway is in the process of moving from Virginia to Florida. Service and quality issues are rampant at this time. I saw an e-mail from a guy who has bought 16 engines from them. Fifteen had missing or duplicate parts, bad lettering, sound issues and many other problems. test every feature at your hobby shop before taking ownership. Cavet Empitor!!!
I don’t know if this will help, but I recently sent a Hudson back for repair and got it back in less then 3 weeks. They even repaired the front pilot and dummy coupler which I broke when the engine fell off my layout. the whole Thing only cost me $7.00. Good luck
I purchased a C&O T1 from BL. I recieved it Dec 24,04. I ran it for about 45 minutes and the gears stripped out. I contacted them and sent it back to them around Jan 15, 05. After many calls to find out what was taking so long I finaly asked for a complaint dept. When I spoke the man in that dept. my locomotive misteriously was delivered to him that day. (surprised ) I recieved it the next day. which was about 2 weeks ago. I also questioned why Ishould have to pay any shipping. It was thier workmanship wich was the problem. I love the locomotive, it runs great very smooth. BUT the experience left a bad taste. I don’t know if I will be a continued customer.
Most of the new models from BLI are made in China, compared to having their engines built in Korea only a year ago. Several of my BLI engines were made by Ajin, same as many of my Overland models. When they started using other builders, I stopped my buying until they prove to me the quality that they had a year or so ago.
I have read reports that serveral of their new models are having problems, but I hope they realize that we will not continue to buy problem engines and their quality control had better show up and do their job.