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[Rufus T. Firefly]

I think the builder used contact cement to attach chromed pieces to the brass shell and the contact cement has failed.

Surprising on both counts.

[Chris Webster]

Surprising on both counts.

I obviously don't know what I'm talking about because I posted that the panels were glued to a brass shell and everybody knows that 3rd rail diesels are plastic.

The detached panels are probably actual stainless steel - I know you can get foil-like thicknesses of it, so the detached panels in the pictures could be actual stainless steel. It wouldn't have made sense for 3rd Rail to use Alclad's stainless steel effect paint because the resulting paint jobs would not hold up to typical three-railer use (rough handling and smoke fluid residue landing on the model.)

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Surprising on both counts.

I obviously don't know what I'm talking about because I posted that the panels were glued to a brass shell and everybody knows that 3rd rail diesels are plastic.

Ok; I'm just surprised that something like that was chosen and that it then also failed

The detached panels are probably actual stainless steel - I know you can get foil-like thicknesses of it, so the detached panels in the pictures could be actual stainless steel. It wouldn't have made sense for 3rd Rail to use Alclad's stainless steel effect paint because the resulting paint jobs would not hold up to typical three-railer use (rough handling and smoke fluid residue landing on the model.)

Yup!

[DaveJfr0]

but what is going on with what looks like glue all over the sides of these models? Is this where glued on panels came off?

That's my impression as well -- I think the builder used contact cement to attach chromed pieces to the brass shell and the contact cement has failed.

Just seeing this now. Yes, I agree with this assessment. An interesting failure mode, of which the only similar once I've personally witnessed is on MTH models where their diesel treadplate decking peels off the chassis.

I do think one of my earlier sunset diesels has stainless vent grilles that have curved away from the model rather harshly, but IIRC they fixed this issue in later models.

[Chris Webster]

Just seeing this now. Yes, I agree with this assessment. An interesting failure mode, of which the only similar once I've personally witnessed is on MTH models where their diesel treadplate decking peels off the chassis.

FWIW, TrainZ has another B-unit with the same failure: Sunset Models O Scale 2-Rail Plastic Santa Fe E5/6 B Unit Diesel Locomotive EX/Box

I don't think it is the same model B-unit that was sold by Stout because I see a difference in the glue application - on the TrainZ model there is a spot for a panel, right next to a side window, that didn't have glue applied to it. There was glue applied in that same spot on the Stout model.

[DaveJfr0]

Just seeing this now. Yes, I agree with this assessment. An interesting failure mode, of which the only similar once I've personally witnessed is on MTH models where their diesel treadplate decking peels off the chassis.

FWIW, TrainZ has another B-unit with the same failure: Sunset Models O Scale 2-Rail Plastic Santa Fe E5/6 B Unit Diesel Locomotive EX/Box

I don't think it is the same model B-unit that was sold by Stout because I see a difference in the glue application - on the TrainZ model there is a spot for a panel, right next to a side window, that didn't have glue applied to it. There was glue applied in that same spot on the Stout model.

Good ole Trainz trying to milk every item for top dollar. I would maybe pay 1/3 MSRP max and gamble on there being all the parts in the bag and that I could permanently fix it. I gotta imagine temperature and humidity are large factors in the adherence of those panels.