Issues with BLMA spine cars?

[daniel_leavitt2000]

OK, I know this may not be a popular post, but I have had some MAJOR issues with my BLMA spine cars. I own three sets and two have had some major defect while the third one had some minor issues.

My 5 unit spine had about half a dozen parts fall off of it while in teh package. I know I can reglue them, but it just seems a bit excessive.

One of my 3 unit cars has a wheel tray mis-mounted. Its glued in pretty tight and I am afraid of breaking it if I try to reset it in the correct position. Another issue is that the cup hole is too small for the pin on the joints of one car, so the center spine runs lower on one end than the other. It also breaks free under a large load.

My other three unit spine had the same cup-hole issues, and a very prominant glue drop on the top of one of the spines.

Now I know I can open up the cup hole with a drill bit and fix that, but the other issues seems a bit more problematic. I would have returned the cars if mt LHS had any other for exchange, but they done. I either keep these or go without.

Have any of you run into these issues? Anyone have experience breaking the glue to reseat the wheel trays?

[Craig Martyn]

Dan, I am sorry to hear about the issues you've experienced with the cars.  As always, we work closely with our factory to ensure the highest standards possible, but some minor issues will surface. 

In this regard, please note that we do our best to quickly handle any production issues, and will ultimately work to ensure your final product is perfect.  Please note that this feedback is needed directly (glad I saw your post) in order for our team to make necessary adjustments.

As a whole, there have been very few QC problems noted; mostly a few missing hitch parts that were dealt with immediately. 

My personal Email for you and all:  Craig@blmamodels.com

[HuskerN]

Dan, first it is nice to see Craig jumping all over your post and being proactive to reach out to you.  Secondly, I purchased 3 sets of the 5 units spines, and all needed a bit of tuning before they were ready for operation.  Here is my experience:

I had a few cup holes that were too small for pins - resolution: drill hole larger with sharp hobby knife
I also had some loose details - resolution: glued back on with CA
I found a few wheel sets that were out of round causing the cars to wobble significantly, so these needed to be replaced
I had one car where the end unit had a truck that would not set on the rails level.  One axle was lifted off of the rails when the other was on the rails.  This appeared to be a bolster screw misalignment perhaps when it was assembled.  it would derail before being fixed
one of the end units had the steps and walkways assembled very poorly and misaligned.  I too haven't messed with it as I don't want to break it.

For the most part these are minor, but do require some attention to have a car ready for operations.

HuskerN
www.nscaleaddiction.blogspot.com

[Denver Road Doug]

I had one issue with a loose part on the 5 units, which I didn't really worry about even though I did let Craig know.

The issue was somewhat worse with the 3's.  All of them had parts issues, particularly the supports under the platforms.

I can't comment on the other issues.   I only have one 5-unit set on the layout and it's only made a few laps.

[sundowner]

My four 5-platform and six 3-platform were all good as far as the detail, but on some platforms I had to enlarge the bolster hole because the trucks were to tigh and had no side play on the bolster and remove a little paint from the cup for the same reason. But they run great after those little tweeks.

[Sokramiketes]

My four 5-platform and six 3-platform were all good as far as the detail, but on some platforms I had to enlarge the bolster hole because the trucks were to tigh and had no side play on the bolster and remove a little paint from the cup for the same reason. But they run great after those little tweeks.

Hmm... I wonder if tight bolsters are at the heart of the BLMA reefer tracking issue we were seeing.