MDK Model Trains
CPSC Recall #97-053 - December 23, 1996
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 97-053 |
| Recall Date | December 23, 1996 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | About 20,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| Cars were sold through hobby wholesalers and distributed to hobby and specialty retail stores nationwide. |
Product
MDK Model Trains
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), MDK Inc. of Chapel Hill, N.C., is recalling about 20,000 model trains. If the train derails, the coupler coil spring could overheat creating a potential fire hazard.CPSC and MDK Inc. are not aware of any injuries involving these model trains. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.The trains involved in this recall are The Heavyweight line of O scale passenger cars, sold under the brand name K-LINE Electric Trains, which were produced from 1991 through 1995. These cars are 1:48 scale models of railroad passenger cars from the early 1900s and are designed to operate on a three-rail, O gauge track.The following types of cars are part of this train product line: coach, pullman, baggage, railway post office, diner, and observation car. All cars are individually boxed and include an end label listing the model name and number.The following cars were sold through hobby wholesalers and distributed to hobby and specialty retail stores nationwide:Railroad NameCar NumbersBaltimore & Ohio RailroadK10-0004, K10-0045Erie-Lackawanna Railroad 6-Car Set (K-44251)K25-0001, K25-0002, K25-0098, K25-0316, K25-0469, K25-1813Ringling Bros. and Barnum & BaileyK83-0072, K83-0073, K83-0080, K83-0093, K83-0094, K83-0095, K83-0096Southern RailroadK86-0004, K86-0042Southern Pacific RailroadK88-0112, K88-1918, K88-5124Union Pacific Railroad 6-Car Set (K-44911)K91-0100, K91-0101, K91-0102, K91-0103, K91-0104, K91-0107These additional cars were sold through the following listed outlets:Railroad NameCar NumbersOutletChesapeake & Ohio Railroad 6-Car Set (K-44151)K15-0110, K15-0385, K15-0727, K15-0827, K15-0972, K15-2500K-LINE Collectors Club (Chapel Hill, N.C.)Lackawanna Railroad 6-Car Set (K-44381)K38-0001, K38-0002, K38-0003, K38-0004, K38-0465, K38-1812The Train Station (Mountain Lakes, N.J.)Toy Train Museum CarsK85-1884, K85-1896, K85-1870, K85-1899, K85-1877Toy Train Museum (Strasburg, Pa.)Train Collectors Association CarsK85-1992, K85-1993Train Collectors Association (Strasburg, Pa.)Texas & Pacific Railroad 6-Car Set (K-44891)K89-0718, K89-1018, K89-1109, K89-1402, K89-1658, K89-1818Collectible Trains & Toys (Dallas, Texas)Pasadena Mutual Funds CarK99-1986Pasadena Group of Mutual Fund (Greenwich, Conn.)The model trains were sold from late 1991 to the present for about $75 to 125 per car.Consumers should immediately stop operating the recalled cars, and call MDK Inc. at 800) 866-9986 for information on receiving a free repair. Consumers can write to K-LINE lectric Trains (MDK, Inc), P.O. Box 2831, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27515
Hazard
If the train derails, the coupler coil spring could overheat creating a potential fire hazard.
Incidents & Injuries
CPSC and MDK Inc. are not aware of any injuries involving these model trains. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately stop operating the recalled cars, and call MDK Inc. at 800) 866-9986 for information on receiving a free repair.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Repair at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly, either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Repair) at no cost to you.
If the product caused a fire or burn injury, document the incident with photos and preserve the product if it is safe to do so. Report the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov and to your local fire department. Contact the manufacturer to inform them of the incident, they are required to track and report injuries to CPSC. You may also want to consult a personal injury attorney, as fire and burn injuries caused by defective products can be grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney, parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.