Train wreck?

Jeth · Aug 12, 2022

I ordered a RAM 1500 on May 31st. It was built on July 16th and shipped out the next day according to the FCA website. The site projected my truck to be delivered August 10th, then August 18th, then August 29th. The dealer told me on August 10th that it was on the train and was supposed to arrive at the Port Allen rail yard on August 14th. However, I got a call from the dealer today and was told it was involved in a train derailment and was too damaged for delivery. I can’t find anything in the news about a train wreck that lines up with what I have been told. The dealer said there were 20 RAMs in the rail car and that 4 of them were preorder’s. Anybody else hear that story or know of a train wreck that coincides with this time line? Dealer says I can buy one off the lot or wait until FCA builds me another one. Ugh - I was just starting to let myself get excited.

Rlaf75 · Aug 12, 2022

I doubt a train derailment would make national news unless it were catastrophic with multiple death's. We had a train derailment a few towns over from me and we only heard a small news report because there were traffic detours. It was a cargo train with only crew members on board and no major injuries.

I don't know if the dealer has a way of finding out but maybe press them for a possible location of the wreck.

Kap1 · Aug 13, 2022

Sounds a bit suspicious... I wouldn't order from this dealership unless they proove their story. Should be easy to do as they probably got emails regarding this from someone notifying of this issue.

I just don't trust dealerships...

GTyankee · Aug 13, 2022

A derailed freight car, may mean that 1 set of wheels fell off the track or that it laid on its side.
If it just jumped the track, it may not be damaged
But who knows what the Insurance company will do, it will be up to them what happens now.

.........................

New Ram DT models are built in Sterling Heights Michigan
MY GUESS IS
It will not be long before they stop making 2022 Ram DTs

? Next month they should start building the 2023 models ?

That just makes your choice a bit harder

pacofortacos · Aug 13, 2022

Kap1 said:
Sounds a bit suspicious... I wouldn't order from this dealership unless they proove their story. Should be easy to do as they probably got emails regarding this from someone notifying of this issue.

I just don't trust dealerships...

lol your distrust runs deep!

Daw14 · Aug 13, 2022

Kap1 said:
Sounds a bit suspicious... I wouldn't order from this dealership unless they proove their story. Should be easy to do as they probably got emails regarding this from someone notifying of this issue.

I just don't trust dealerships...

Why would they not want this persons money ?

Steve White · Aug 13, 2022

We have received several truck with damages while on the train. none of the cars are strapped down when in the train. its not like when they are put on trucks. if the engineer of the train brakes to hard or accelerates to fast this happens. it happens alot more than you think. We had 2500 not to long ago show up and it was mangled front and rear. They go to the body shop and fixed before the customer gets it. If it was in a derailment, and damaged that bad they just run everything over and scrap everything.

bcbouy · Aug 13, 2022

Daw14 said:
Why would they not want this persons money ?

the dealer where i ordered and dropped a deposit on my first powerwagon sold it out from under me for more $ and tried to upsell me on a more expensive ram.when i called to check on the estimated delivery i was told it was "no longer available".fact.

pacofortacos · Aug 13, 2022

bcbouy said:
the dealer where i ordered and dropped a deposit on my first powerwagon sold it out from under me for more $ and tried to upsell me on a more expensive ram.when i called to check on the estimated delivery i was told it was "no longer available".fact.

That's messed up.
If you ever order one, try to get it setup so you are sent the VIN during production and then you can follow it - at least to a degree.

Kap1 · Aug 13, 2022

bcbouy said:
the dealer where i ordered and dropped a deposit on my first powerwagon sold it out from under me for more $ and tried to upsell me on a more expensive ram.when i called to check on the estimated delivery i was told it was "no longer available".

Wow, sorry... But I'm not surprised. It's a car dealer...

mikeru · Aug 13, 2022

Damn, you guys work with some shady dealerships.

Jeth said:
Ugh - I was just starting to let myself get excited.

@Jeth ^This is where you made your mistake.

Jerrybob · Aug 13, 2022

Steve White said:
We have received several truck with damages while on the train. none of the cars are strapped down when in the train. its not like when they are put on trucks. if the engineer of the train brakes to hard or accelerates to fast this happens. it happens alot more than you think. We had 2500 not to long ago show up and it was mangled front and rear. They go to the body shop and fixed before the customer gets it. If it was in a derailment, and damaged that bad they just run everything over and scrap everything.

Why wouldn't they strap them down or at least block the tires.....are they stupid?

KoboldTaco · Aug 13, 2022

Before the order status went live from FCA, I found a guy who was tracking orders through someone he knew in the back office. Reason descriptions for trucks not cleared for sale include getting shot and theft. I don’t doubt the train wrecked.

KeithP · Aug 13, 2022

Jerrybob said:
Why wouldn't they strap them down or at least block the tires.....are they stupid?

A truck carries vehicles on an open sided trailer. The one sitting in the “cradle” (middle bottom of the trailer) is the only one sitting level while in transport. Trucks accelerate quicker, stop quicker, turn shorter, climb and descend steeper inclines and twist their way into/out of uneven driveways.

Trains carry hundreds if not thousands of vehicles at a time. Can’t imagine how long it would take to tie down or even chock the wheels on a train load of vehicles. Then undue it all to offload them.

All sit level in an enclosed rail car. Trains are slow to accelerate and slower to stop, sans an emergency, even then it’s multiple times slower than a truck. Inclines are gentle as are the curves in a track. If a train takes a sharp turn lots of things are going to get bent. Really no reason to think vehicles need to be secured beyond their own parking gear and brakes.

Jerrybob · Aug 13, 2022

KeithP said:
A truck carries vehicles on an open sided trailer. The one sitting in the “cradle” (middle bottom of the trailer) is the only one sitting level while in transport. Trucks accelerate quicker, stop quicker, turn shorter, climb and descend steeper inclines and twist their way into/out of uneven driveways.

Trains carry hundreds if not thousands of vehicles at a time. Can’t imagine how long it would take to tie down or even chock the wheels on a train load of vehicles. Then undue it all to offload them.

All sit level in an enclosed rail car. Trains are slow to accelerate and slower to stop, sans an emergency, even then it’s multiple times slower than a truck. Inclines are gentle as are the curves in a track. If a train takes a sharp turn lots of things are going to get bent. Really no reason to think vehicles need to be secured beyond their own parking gear and brakes.

Thanks....makes sense.

Jeth · Aug 13, 2022

Thanks guys for your perspectives - they’ve all been helpful. When I go to the FCA order status page, it still shows the projected delivery as 8/18/22. So I went to their customer service web page and “chatted” with an advocate who said that from the records he could see the truck was still scheduled to be delivered to the dealer between August 16th and 28th. Maybe they haven’t updated their system yet?
I am reminded of the old Cold War saying of trust but verify. I will be asking the dealer more questions on Monday.

GTyankee · Aug 14, 2022

It is very illegal for a dealer to sell a vehicle that has been factory order for a customer
all the paperwork should have your name printed on the bottom of the notices that is sent out

Even the first piece of paper, called a P.O.C. , Priced Order Confirmation should have your name on it, along with a Code 99 at the bottom of the page

................................................

as for transporting vehicles by train or semi truck,
both methods use tire straps on 4 wheels

FEMA TRAINS (Auto-Max Train Cars)

...

www.youtube.com

Timsdually · Aug 14, 2022

GTyankee said:
It is very illegal for a dealer to sell a vehicle that has been factory order for a customer
all the paperwork should have your name printed on the bottom of the notices that is sent out

Even the first piece of paper, called a P.O.C. , Priced Order Confirmation should have your name on it, along with a Code 99 at the bottom of the page

................................................

as for transporting vehicles by train or semi truck,
both methods use tire straps on 4 wheels

FEMA TRAINS (Auto-Max Train Cars)

...

www.youtube.com

Plus, when I ordered the last couple of trucks, the window sticker actually had my name on it. As in, This truck specifically built for John Q. Public.

OP, I would keep tabs from your contact on when this truck is supposed to be delivered and then constantly check the dealer's inventory and lot and see if it is there.

Kickboxer · Aug 14, 2022

GTyankee said:
It is very illegal for a dealer to sell a vehicle that has been factory order for a customer
all the paperwork should have your name printed on the bottom of the notices that is sent out

Even the first piece of paper, called a P.O.C. , Priced Order Confirmation should have your name on it, along with a Code 99 at the bottom of the page

................................................

as for transporting vehicles by train or semi truck,
both methods use tire straps on 4 wheels

FEMA TRAINS (Auto-Max Train Cars)

...

www.youtube.com

Not many rail cars are the one shown in the video. Interesting by the way.
That FEMA car is probably one of most secure. Many others are not made that
enclosed. I often see cars travel from west to east on a CP mainline.
Those cars look much different.

GTyankee · Aug 14, 2022

Kickboxer,
you mentioned SECURE
When freight cars were more open, they had a lot of vandalism, theft, and other damages.

Some people thought that all that was needed would be Shackles

Train wreck?

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