Hello all I just bought a tower 55 gevo bnsf received it yesterday (Saturday) ran it today to break it in it sounded great ran beautiful for the two loops it made before it died now I have a hi end loco with only functioning lights. I emailed to find out if Id can get a exchange. I was wondering if anyone else had this issue. Thanks Richard
Interesting. Can you give more details? Did you run it in DC or DCC? If DCC, does decoder respond? My guess is - you probably got a loose contact somewhere. If you are OK with the tools - just remove the shell and check it out.
Like I said the only thing responding is lights nothing else
You are more likely to get help quickly if you call them rather than email.
Not a good omen for my possible purchase of one. Usually if a loco works but only for a couple of laps something came loose. Have you opened it and just looked for something loose? One of the decoder connections possibly? a wire to the chasis?
Well just wanted to let everyone know the drive shift came loose and had to reprogram the decoder. I called tower 55 and they were real good about the situation. I worked with them and they helped out alot I diffiently will be buying from them again. A helpful tip for dcc novices like myself. If you cant get it to reprogram the first try on the reprogram track enter the cv08=08 like 3 or 4 times so it catches in the circuit board. Helpful tip #2 dont use a helix into you break in the engine itself. Help this is helpful for someone else and dont do a duh move like me.
Glad it worked out Richard.
If you don’t mind, can you tell us about the sounds?
If you’ve heard other sound units, such as BLI’s, how do you feel it compares? Are the sounds adjustable?
Well I cant really tell you the difference because this is my first of a long line purchases of highend locos.(its addictive)lol. But I can tell you it does sound like the GEVO because Ive driven a couple hand fulls personally. the volume is adjustable by CV’s. Ive heard the QSI sound is better but cant speak personally on that. thanks for your messege Antonio
I would still take it back where you bought it and exchange it for 4 or 5 good Atlas engines!
gtr
that wouldnt go for me I dont like Atlas products except track stuff and freight cars.
Oh my God. You payed over 200 hundred dollars for a piece of junk that broke down the very next day?[(-D] Oh my. Yup. Sounds like a GEVO.
Gtirr, BNSFRailfan
Fellas, [;)]
Forgive me but… why are we taking low end pot shots like this?? [B)][V]
This man is a customer and is happy with his product. Comments like these are what can discourage others from posting with their input.
Just for the record…
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I bought an Atlas HO GP7 a few years ago at MSRP. The thing WOULD NOT RUN! The lights just came on and that was it. Did I trash Atlas? NO! I went back to my LHS. The store manager found a very minor problem with it but gave me another in exchange.
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Not too long ago I bought a BRAND NEW P2K “Special Edition” SCL SD45. It came equipped with the “Kato style” motor. I noticed that at low speed, she kept lurching. My friend took it apart. Turns out it was a defective motor. I contacted Walthers and they shipped me a new one within 2 weeks. I was happy.[:)][:D]
Point is that every manufacturer will have a defect “here and there” that will slip through the production line.
Only my opinion, but it seems so “uncool” to be discouraging to someone who’s made good comments about his satisfaction with a product.
10-4.
Peace.
Sounds familar. A guy in our Module club purchased one of these recently. I believe he stripped some gears. We had a minor grade at a recent show but it was the first time he ran it. It happens.
Also just go a BNSF GEVO for Tower 55. Holy am I ever dissapointed. I took it out of the box and man, was it ever sharp looking. Beautiful detail job, couldn’t wait to get it on the tracks (this is where dissapointment came in). The engine didn’t run well at all, it wobbled and the lighting is terrible (its dim and u can see the number board bulbs shining through the cab roof!). To cap it off, there was a severe crackling sound coming from the speaker and there was no acceleration sound. I’m hoping that this is a problem with the decoder or something (I dunno if you had acceleration sounds or not Richard) or I will consider returing it. I also own a gold series atlas and the QSI sound is miles ahead of what i have heard from my tower 55 so far. I guess I’ll find out when Tower 55 calls me back. [V]
Oh man, I almost hate to post this and I have been biting my toungue for a week, but now reading, I have to say… the Tower 55 line scares me a bit.
2 weeks ago a good freind of mine purchased the BNSF GEVO. HE ran it once aroudn the club layout and did find. Then, he put it in a consist with 3 other Katos and with half a lap, it was shot. Sounded like he stripped the gears and the sound system shorted. (best we can figure) Granted, some might say shouldnt have run it with other power engines, but all the others have held up over numerous shows (Kato, Genisis, P2K). I was thinking about one my self, but I have to admit, I would like to hear my “happy” stories. That it is good to know though that they were easy to work with, as far customer service goes. That is always a high mark in my book.
Sounds like they’ve got some gear issues. Has anyone had the gear stripping problem with OMI diesels? They both have the same drive system.
This is also Tower 55’s first engine, so they may fix the problem later. Athearn Genesis diesels had some problems with running, and they fixed them later.[:D]
These are the best models made. I have 3 of them with 3 more on order. None have problems so I think you just bought a lemon.
I sure wish I could aafford two of those Gevos by Tower 55. I would like to get the Union Pacific ones. How much are the ones without sound?
Got a BNSF Gevo from Tower also. Great in all areas. Great running and great sound. Will buy another.
I have three so far and will continue to order. I did have a problem with one model have chipped paint on the handrails, revealing the brass underneath. I wrote to Brian Marsh at Overland and he apologized and swapped it out for me. I am sure this was just a quality control issue that hopefully they will fix.
That said, I buy the soundless units. I’ve never been all that big on DCC or sound in my units anyway–and it sounds like I am avoiding DCC teething problems anyway.