So the IM Frame monster hit me

[ridinshotgun]

Well I guess it was time but I was finally hit by the IM frame monster today.  I was working my way through my DCC conversions on my locos and came to my last SD45T-2.  Pop the shell off and low and behold a little piece of gray metal falls out.  Hmmm seems that a little piece of the frame has come out.  well I figure no biggee I'll just glue it back together.  the rest of the frame appeared OK on a cursory glance. So I loosen the screws and drop the trucks but wait what is this another small piece falls off.  So I turn the frame over and now it looks like a spider web and a few more pieces are loose and the whole frame is acting like the wicked witch did when a bucket of water was thrown on her.

I hope IM can help me out in the parts dept but i won't hold my breath.

Here is the final damage and there are even more bits ready to fall off.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Just give them a call. I'm sure they will send out a replacement for free. They are really good like that.

[ridinshotgun]

I hope so.  I already sent an email tot hem asking about obtaining a new frame.

[craigolio1]

I would expect either a new frame, a new loco, or a refund. That's a glaring manufacturing error. Is this a new thing or am I just out to lunch?

Craig

[mu26aeh]

Would this be a case of frame/zinc rot ?  If so, not new to the industry

[ridinshotgun]

Yeah it is frame rot. The other side of the frame looks and feels fine.  The bad side is soft as butter and looks like it covered in micro fractures.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Wow, that's wild!

If all else fails, and they don't have any to send you, I believe the Atlas SD50/60/60M mech is the basis for those, and might work. It might require some milling/filing though. This is all conjecture.

[jagged ben]

Wow, that's wild!

If all else fails, and they don't have any to send you, I believe the Atlas SD50/60/60M mech is the basis for those, and might work. It might require some milling/filing though. This is all conjecture.

Nope, nope, nope.  They use the same trucks and all the same drive train parts but the frame itself is an IM creation with its own special dimensions. 

IM customer service is responsive, if they have one to send you they probably will.  They may not even charge you for it. 

[djconway]

IM was really good about replacing 4 F3 frames for me last year.  An email with photos and the replacements were here in about a week.

[hnipper]

Just had very positive experience with IM customer service with the cracked frame issue. Replaced the locomotive gratis (F3A) and did it without any prompting. I sent the locomotive in pieces to IM using the blank you download from their website and two weeks later, here comes replacement!

Good luck!
(And thanks, Intermountain!)

Henry

[brokemoto]

Add another voice to those acclaiming Intermountain's top drawer customer service.

[fcnrwy23]

Would this be a case of frame/zinc rot ?  If so, not new to the industry

Ya, this is true.     Better than the alternative,  "Exploding"  Body shells, when the metal frames "Expaanndd.." 

Jerry G.

[SP-Wolf]

I too, had great customer service in replacing an F3 frame. I was fully expecting to pay for a frame. They sent one at no charge. - Outstanding!!

Wolf

[Englewood]

Cripes, I have 18 tunnel motors that I haven't run in a while while the layout gets rebuilt. Now I'm afraid to check...

[up1950s]

I'm thinking it would be better if we didn't know how well IM customer service was because nobody needed to request replacements . Were these rots or something like cold metal pours in the molding process , anybody know ?