Atlas loco wheel trucks falling off!

[miatateer]

Hey all, first post!  Glad I found this forum!

Ok, so the first post is because of a problem I just encountered. I have an Atlas SD-35 with DCC encoder installed at the factory. I've had this unit for about 2.5 years. Purchased new from N Scale Supply. It might have 2 hours of run time (still building the layout!). It has always been stored in the original factory package...foam included. Kept in a heated, reasonably dry basement. Haven't had it out of the box for a bit over a year. 

A couple of days ago, I got it out, carefully removed it from its cozy package, grabbed it by the loco body and ...dangit... the wheel trucks simply dropped out! Fortunately my other hand was right under the loco so they were not damaged.

I have never done anything to this loco, like removing the body. It sure looks like the trucks simply set into 2 slots in the frames.

Any ideas why this happened? Any ideas on how to fix this?

Thanks much!

[cf7]

Welcome to the forum!

Here is a thread from another board which pretty much describes the problem that you are having.

www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?threads/china-strikes-again.80970/

Wouldn't surprise me one bit if this was it. I took apart a Life Like SW switcher about a year ago and its frame crumbled into a thousand pieces.

[miatateer]

Thanks for the link. I did have a devil of a time getting the shell off, so maybe I am having a related problem. I did not specifically notice and cracks or pits, but then I wasn't looking for them! Seems I have a few things to look at tonight.

[miatateer]

Thanks Terry. I did check both items and found nothing loose, broken, or smashed.

Also, I did a much more careful inspection of the metal frame halves. The metal didn't show any signs of fractures or hairline cracks. It sure looked slightly bent, but my trusty steel ruler didn't seem to confirm that. I didn't force the issue, but sure seemed like to was very bendable.

[miatateer]

Time to contact Atlas. :-(

I was trying to fit the frame halves together to see if I could spot where the trouble was and the top of one of the frames simply crumbled into about 5 pieces. Sheesh...very disappointing.

[cf7]

Jan 14, 2016 17:04:16 GMT -8 miatateer said:

Time to contact Atlas. :-(

I was trying to fit the frame halves together to see if I could spot where the trouble was and the top of one of the frames simply crumbled into about 5 pieces. Sheesh...very disappointing.

Yep...I had a feeling that was the problem. Thanks for the update.

[miatateer]

Good news!
After a single email to Atlas customer service last evening, I got a reply early this morning. New frame is on its way! That's some seriously good customer service!

[miatateer]

As promised, Atlas sent me a new frame. Sad that the issue happened in the first place, but kudos to Atlas for correcting my issue without a hassle.

[douggosha]

Atlas has always been good at making things right.

Doug