Friday I called Trainworld. I have called them about twice a week when I seen MTH announced that they are distributing the PA_1 70-2033-1 to retailers.
Trainworld just got some in stock.
I ordered it immediately. I received it Wedsday. I read through the enclosed manual.
NO information about downloading it to the MTH’s TIU. So I just layout a 5 ft section of track and hooked up the leads from the TIU. I unpacked one of the engines. I set it on the track. I could not get a download.
I reread the manual. The only tiny bit of information I glimisted was a tiny photo showing a wire harness between engines.
I started to take the second engine out of it packing. When I removed the styrofoam container. I touched the plastic wrap.
The Wrapping was very WET.
NOTHING previous was wet. Not any part of any of the cardboard boxes or the styrofoam shell was wet.
Just the clear plastic that MTH wraps all the engines in was slick with water.
I attempted to call Trainworld. Past business hours. I immediately called U.P.S.
I filed a report. I also mentioned that I was very positive that it was not U.P.S. problem, Because the outside containers were not wet.
They were just the delivery unit and I wanted to take every step for notification.
Thursday I called Trainworld. Rosie told my report and transferred me to a Manager (forgot
There might be a slight miscommunication, you do not want Trainworld to “restock” their store, you want a replacement.
I’m sure, with Trainworld prices, they buy a “batch” of product at a big discount. Restocking an item means a lot of them, not just replacing a defective one, which I am sure most dealers would do.
It might be worth it to double check this, another dealer might have a higher price.
I recalled Trainworld. They refused to reorder or replace mine by reordering.
I talked to Regina again at MTH. She assured me that if Trainworld requested one set. MTH would honor that order at Whole sale price. They would send a replacement for a defective item.
Regina directed me to a dealer (Side Track Leonardtown Md.) Al. When I called Al. He was never available. Friday I talk to a saleswoman. She said Al was at York PA meet. He did not leave any information.
I got in touch with Ridge Road. They would order one for me with 10% down.
Today I received a letter from Al. It gave me his sales price. The engine set was about $50 cheaper.
I just wish he would have called me as promised. He also should have informed his sales personal after I called.
MTH engines always (in my case) come loaded up with some fluid. It is possible the engine was turned up side down turning transit allowing the fluid to leak out of the stack. It has happened to me and many others before…