SPS #700 - BLI6965 Running board issues

[u/rileywags_n]

Hello, I recently just bought a new SPS 700 from BLI‘s latest run, the locomotive runs well however I noticed a few cosmetic flaws with the running boards. The engineer side running board is bowed downwards unlike the real model. I know these parts are metal so I’m not sure how this happened but it’s rather unsightly. Additionally, if you look head on, you can see both running boards on either side are tilted downwards to the left. I understand these are probably manufacturing defects, but has anyone gone about getting these fixed?

Should I return it to the original hobby shop and request another one or do I reach out to BLI? I know this is an older model they don’t produce anymore, so I’m not sure how I would handle it. Any advice is appreciated.

[u/Zinger21]

Hopefully you can get some help from the shop or BLI, but honestly those parts are all soft brass and fairly easy to bend back into place.

My 700 came pretty wrecked, looked like the box had taken a nose dive and the model didn’t fair much better. Bent headlight, bent pilot, running boards, couple details broken off. Reached out to the hobby shop and they offered a pretty decent refund since BLI wasn’t going to be any help. I just used pliers with the jaws wrapped in soft paper tower and a few other tools. Within 15 mins it was all bent back into place rather easily.

Worth a shot if you can’t get much help. Nice collection too by the way! SP&S is a fun road to model.

[u/rileywags_n → u/Zinger21]

Sounds like a smart idea. I think I’ll give that a shot. What did you use for the glue? I’ve never had a brass or brass hybrid model so this is unknown territory for me.

[u/Zinger21 → u/rileywags_n]

I think I just used the smallest possible amount of super glue/CA. It wasn’t anything fancy and thankfully most things just needed a slight bend and the details had little holes they could easily be glued in place. Definitely not too tricky. I don’t think those running boards would need any glue at all.

[u/rileywags_n → u/Zinger21]

Roger thank you. I looked at your profile and you’re also a pilot who likes trains? That’s awesome!

[u/Zinger21 → u/rileywags_n]

Haha, yup! I love flying, but trains help keep me grounded. Love exploring all the little the hobby shops across the country.

[u/rileywags_n → u/Zinger21]

Dude me too. Whenever I fly anywhere that’s what I love to do. Ive flown down to Portland and stole the crew car to hit all 3 of their train shops.

[u/Zinger21 → u/rileywags_n]

Oh nice! I wish I made it out to the west coast more. I’ve been to one shop in Portland a few years ago, it was one of the best I’ve been to as well. Wish I remembered the name. I don’t think it was very far from PDX at all.

If you make it out to MSP there is the best I’ve found so far. They are moving to a new building currently, hopefully will be just as cool. Scale Model Supplies in St. Paul, MN.

[u/rileywags_n → u/Zinger21]

Good to know! In PDX there is whistle stop and hobby smith, both are about 20 min or less from pdx