Scale Trains SD40-2 Fuel Tank height fix?..

[nickelplate759]

Ian & Mark,

I have attempted to contact Tru-Color paint in Phoenix 3 times with no reply whatsoever. If I did not like the paint I would not buy from them and their lousy customer care. The dealer I buy from told me they do not reply to him either. Not a very smart way to do business.

Be well !

My experience with Tru-Color is quite different.   I reached out to them with a question about which of their paints would match a particular color used on Amtrak Cascades trains.  I gave them the Pantone #, and they took the time to tell me which of their paints was a match.

[learmoia]

To clarify I reached out to Scale Trains about the paint match without response..

I didn't expect Tru color to know what color Scale Trains used for a model.

This was posted on another thread that got locked because the OP and another poster were bickering like Children. 

Bob Gilmore deserves credit for his investigation and documentation of his fix.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/427105965735906/permalink/938079227971908/

True, the only reason I started this thread, was the previous one was locked before @turbowhiz had a chance to post details on his solution.

~Ian

[squirrelhunter]

https://www.scaletrains.com/blog/time-to-model-correcting-fuel-tank.html

Here's ScaleTrains offical fix page. Hopefully next run the modify the frames themselves.

[peteski]

https://www.scaletrains.com/blog/time-to-model-correcting-fuel-tank.html

Here's ScaleTrains offical fix page. Hopefully next run the modify the frames themselves.

A DIY fix for an expensive model. I guess  . . .

I also found it surprising that they suggest filing the frame without first removing the shell with all those delicate grabs and other details (at least that's what the photos show).  Then they state "If there's a speaker present, consider covering it with tape to prevent excess metal shavings from attaching themselves to the magnet in the speaker."  Attaching themselves to the magnet?  But the frame material (white metal) is not magnetic.  However, for whatever reason, it's a good idea to prevent metal shavings from getting into the speaker or other parts of the mechanism.

While the DIY fix will be no problem for many TRW members, I hope Scale Trains offers some sort of repair/exchange for those not capable or willing to do the fix. Spookshow also mentioned that the tank screws in his model were glued in.  I wonder how many others also have glued-in screws?

[John]

I don't think I will be buying any of these

[kiwi_al]

I don't think I will be buying any of these

What's wrong with the fuel tank on this one?

[peteski]

What's wrong with the fuel tank on this one?

Looks like it's leaking photons! 

[Jbub]

Looks like it's leaking photons! 

Technically everything leaks photons except for a black hole.

[kiwi_al]

Looks like it's leaking photons! 

ROTFLMAO   I put the bright torch behind it so you could see the gap between the rails and the fuel tank AND I wanted to blind someone!

[spookshow]

There's no way I could've performed any of their fixes since I absolutely could not budge those #^#&% screws.

-Mark

[John]

What's wrong with the fuel tank on this one?

Looks fine.  But I already have enough projects going on that I don’t need another one sitting on the RIP track waiting on fixes.  Especially not at a premium price.  They will probably get it fixed in the long run.   

[garethashenden]

What's wrong with the fuel tank on this one?

So is it a problem on all the models or only some of them?

[EspeeGoldenState]

So is it a problem on all the models or only some of them?

Seems like most are limited to sound equipped versions. The DC version doesnt have speakers, so no push down from something thats not there.

[peteski]

Seems like most are limited to sound equipped versions. The DC version doesnt have speakers, so no push down from something thats not there.

I thought the speaker is not directly involved in the problem (since the final  solution is to file down the frame around there the tank contacts it (the speaker is installed  in the opening in that part of the frame and the speaker cavity does not to be deepened.

[ridinshotgun]

So is it a problem on all the models or only some of them?

Which problem since there are two related issues?

The first is ST messed up somewhere in their production and the fuel tank is NOT at the prototypical height most likely due to an error in the frame measurements.  More than likely based on their "fix" page they know this and thus their final solution is to file the frame down.

That in turn is exacerbating poor QC issues with the installation of the fuel tanks on a good percentage of models.  Sure you can fix the fuel tank rubbing issue by rectifying their poor QC but it still isn't fixing the underlying problem above.