New Bright Model 41179 "Talking Silver Rail Express" train sets

CPSC Recall #88-107 - November 29, 1988

Recall Summary

Recall Number88-107
Recall DateNovember 29, 1988
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedApproximately 38,000
Manufactured InHong Kong

Product

New Bright Model 41179 "Talking Silver Rail Express" train sets

Description

WASHINGTON, D. C - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), New Bright Industries of Canton, Michigan, is voluntarily recalling some 38,000 battery-powered toy train sets because of a potential fire hazard. The train sets, identified as Model 41170, "Talking Silver Rail Express," were manufactured in Hong Kong and shipped to the U.S. between August 28, 1986 and November 5, 1986. New Bright Industries has received 16 complaints of toy train sets short-circuiting, causing the coal tender car to overheat. No injuries have been reported; however, consumers have reported nine incidents of the train catching fire. The train sets involved were manufactured with two different types of wire plug connectors between the coal tender car and the locomotive which transmit power current from the battery compartment in the coal tender car to the DC motor in the locomotive. One of these plug connectors is made of black plastic with a metal prong protruding straight forward. The other plug has a metal prong protruding at a 90-degree angle. All New Bright Model 1170 Silver Rail Express train sets manufactured and shipped in 1987 and 1988 have a plastic connector plug with no metal prong, and are not affected by the recall. New Bright Industries is offering a free replacement train set to owners of 1986 train sets. For information about obtaining a free replacement as well as assistance in identifying models affected by this recall announcement, consumers should call New Bright Industries toll-free number at 877-624-8697 or online at https://www.newbright.com. Consumers may also write to New Bright Industries, 41911 Ford Road, Canton, MI 48187.  

Hazard

The battery-powered toy train sets can short-circuit and cause the tender car to overheat, posing a potential fire hazard.

Incidents & Injuries

New Bright Industries has received 16 complaints of toy train sets short-circuiting, causing the coal tender car to overheat. No injuries have been reported; however, consumers have reported nine incidents of the train catching fire.

Remedy Instructions

New Bright Industries is offering a free replacement train set to owners of 1986 train sets. For information about obtaining a free replacement as well as assistance in identifying models affected by this recall announcement, consumers should call New Bright Industries toll-free number at 877-624-8697 or online at https://www.newbright.com. Consumers may also write to New Bright Industries, 41911 Ford Road, Canton, MI 48187.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace 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 (Replace) 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.