Eric's O-Scale Railroading Journal

Ok, so here’s the story about the train wreck disaster from last weekend. On Sunday afternoon I came downstairs into the basement to find that a shelf on the wall had collapsed. On the shelf were all 4 of my Legacy equipped Lionel diesels, including 2 of the Vision Line GEVO Hybrid Diesels (The green GE demonstrator hybrid and the newer Canadian Pacific hybrid). The fall from the shelf caused moderate to severe damage to all 4 engines. Here’s are the details:

Canadian Pacific Vision Hybrid – This engine took the most damage. It is inoperable and badly mangled. Repair is theoretically possible, but Lionel does not have any replacement parts and even if they did the cost for so many replacement parts would probably exceed the cost of total replacement.

GE Demonstrator Vision Hybrid – This engine didn’t take quite as much damage as the CP Hybrid, but was still badly mangled. It might be made operational by extensive repairs but, again, Lionel does not have many spare parts available for this engine. And once again, even if parts were available, the cost to repair would rival the cost of the new unit.

Norfolk Southern Legacy SD70ACe – This plastic bodied diesel comes in 2nd place as far as the damage. The plastic shell was completely destroyed, the axels were bent and it is currently inoperable. Every window in the cab was blown out by the force of the fall. It looks like, well, a train wreck. There are some spare parts available for this engine but, once again, the cost of repair would exceed the cost of a new unit.

Norfolk Southern Legacy Dash-9 – Ironically, the least expensive of the 4 engines took the least damage, which I’ll admit isn’t saying much. The electronics and drive system seem to be in operating condition, but the plastic shell, wheels and trucks were badly damaged. I can find no spare parts for this engine, so it will need to be replaced.

NOW FOR THE GOOD NEWS….

Since the damaged was caused by a collapsing shelf, my homeowners insurance provider has said they will cover the cost of replacing all 4 engines! I can’t tell you what a relief this was. When I saw the damage to these 4 engines my heart sank into my feet. Now that the insurance will replace them, I’ve extremely relieved that I won’t have to replace them out of my own pocket.

It is my hope that this tale will motivate other people in the hobby to call their insurance provider and verify whether or not your trains are covered! You may want to buy additional insurance just for your collection, such as the insurance offered to NMRA members. It’s a small price to pay to ensure that should anything happen to your trains, you’re covered.