Hello friends:
We've had some issues with the N scale GMD-1 and I want to call attention
to them for those of you who have bought them. More info will be coming
in Jason's newsletter next week.
1. For DC users, the headlights on the silent models are not coming on.
They were supposed to! We've sent an email to Digitrax to ask if that is
something that can be easily fixed by reprogramming with a DCC system. We
should know by the time the newsletter goes out.
2. For NAR, the factory wired the silent models the way we normally model
NAR - backwards. This is causing a problem for DC users as well, as the
engines run in the reverse direction from normal.
3. Also for NAR, two of the engines have the wrong style of stacks and all
of them are missing the nose logo. After Chinese New Year we will be
getting new stacks from the factory as well as nose logo decals. There is
no need to get in touch with us now. Let us know when I announce that we
have them in stock so we can send them out to you then.
Most of the problems we've heard have been from DC users. We had intended
for these to work in DC flawlessly, and Jason included his usual jibe at
DC model railroaders in our instructions. Unfortunately because they
haven't worked flawlessly in DC that jibe has come back to haunt us!
People really think we don't like DC users. I assure you that's not the
case. I use DC and I was with Jason when he wrote the joke at the end of
the instructions. He assures me he will continue to make fun of DC - some
people never learn!
Because most of the problems affect DC users, the way to cure them is to
remove the decoder and hard-wire the model. This is easy to do if you are
handy with wiring. If not, we are offering this service for free for
anyone who wants - we will remove the DCC decoders from your GMD-1
locomotives. You'll need to contact us at the usual address to arrange to
send the locomotives back to us. Alternatively, if you bought the GMD-1 at
your local dealer, they may be willing to remove your decoder for you if
you let them keep the decoder!
Jason will tell more about the hurdles we've had to overcome with this
project in the newsletter. In the meantime if you have any questions
please don't hesitate to email us.
I'm very sorry that these problems have come about. The N scale GMD-1 was my pet project until I was forced to take sick leave in early November. I know first hand that having a new locomotive you've waited for not work correctly is disappointing but hope that these isolated issues won't completely detract from an otherwise unique and seemingly well received model.
More information on this situation will be included in our next newsletter, expected mid next week.
Sincerely;
Mike McGrattan
Rapido Trains Inc.
