Problem with Reverse direction - New Train User

[CathyDL]

We purchased a Bachmann Overland Limited set for Christmas. The train worked fine for several days (forward and reverse) but yesterday it started to stop after going about a foot in the reverse direction. The train light is still on, but something seems to be binding the engine in reverse. Does anyone have any ideas as to what the problem could be? We are very careful about how the train is handled.

The train can be brought back to the forward direction without adjusting it's position on the track, by changing the forward and backward directions on the controller several times. Once it is put in the reverse direction, it stops again after going about one foot.

Thank you for any advice you can give. 

[Bluecoatscheesypoofs]

It sounds like there may be a problem with electrical connection on the track. Take apart and re-assemble the e-z track and make sure that there are no metal objects on the track other than the train and cars. Hope this helps,
                                                                                           Matt Wilson

[CathyDL]

Thank you Matt... we will do that and let you know what happens.
Cathy

[Jim Banner]

It sounds like there may be a problem with electrical connection on the track.
                                                                                          Matt Wilson

Matt,
That is an interesting conclusion but how do you explain that the locomotive light is still on?  The light being on says to me that the track, the power pack, the wiring between the track and power pack, the locomotives wheels and the locomotive power pickups are all fine.

Binding seems much more likely but the most common cause of binding, which is caused by the drive wheels of a steam locomotive being out of sync, would not likely let the locomotive move a full foot backwards, at least not in H0-scale.  For a typical H0 steam locomotive, a foot would be about four turns of the drivers.  This many turns might indicate a piece of thread or hair wound around an axle such that it tightens up and jams in reverse but is loosened when going forward.  Easiest check here is to remove all of the cars and run just the locomotive and tender.  If there is no improvement, carefully check all the locomotive and tender axles under a strong light using a magnifying glass.

While you have the locomotive off the track, check that the power plugs that carry power between the locomotive and tender and back again are properly seated in their sockets and that none of the wires are loose in their plugs.  I am assuming your locomotive is DCC ready and has the usual two plugs, one two pin and the other four pin, connecting the locomotive and tender.  If the four pin plug is not seated properly, one of the two wires that carry motor power from the tender to the locomotive may not be able to do its job in reverse.

Another thought is that there is a gear slipping in reverse.  The quick check here is to listen to the locomotive with an ear very close to it and turn up the speed control.  If a gear is slipping, the locomotive will often sit still but the motor will make a whirring sound.  DO NOT turn up the speed control for more than a few seconds or the motor may over heat.

A fourth possibility is that one of the couplers is hanging low and the trip wire is catching on a tie when running in reverse.  This is normally quite easy to spot if you are looking for it.

Perhaps you could check these possibilities out and let us know what you find.

Jim

[CathyDL]

Thank you Jim. My husband agrees with your conclusion on the power set up, since the light is on. We will check out all of your suggestions and let you know what we find. 
(Thank you again!)
Cathy

[jward]

i have a slightly different take on the problem. bear in mind most of my locomotives are diesel, and have no side rods or other mechanical linkages to bind. from my experience, binding is often caused by a small piece of grit or ballast getting into the gear box. does your locomotive make a noticeable clicking sound when moving forward? that would be a telltale sign of a bind in the gear box. does it seem to hesitate, then lurch as though something has broken loose?

carefully open the gearbox and look for anything in the gears. not sure if you can do this with steam, but on a diesel it is often possible to remove the worm gear from one of the trucks without disturbing the motor or any of the other gears. the wheels are then able to be turned by hand while you look for what's causing the bind. if you find something it can often be picked out of the gears with a hobby knife or a small screwdriver blade.

it is vitally important that you not allow power to be applied to the motor while the gears are jammed. this will eventually cause the motor to burn out, and could weaken it long before that happens.

[CathyDL]

Matt, Jim, and Jeffrey,
We wanted to get back to you and let you know what we found.
1. Taking the track apart and reassembling it did not help.
2. We also noticed that sometimes the train will travel a few inches before stopping and sometimes a foot.
We looked carefully at the axels with a magnifying glass and did not see any threads. We did find a small chunck of rubbery type material on one of the wheels, but when we removed it, it did not have any effect.
3. Power plugs are all plugged in properly.
4. We didn't notice a gear slipping, but we are not experts at what the train should sound like.
5. We took all of the cars off of the locomotive and it still has the same problem (even without the tender).
Jeffrey: We are rather hesitant to open the gearbox...not sure that we could put it back together again the right way! 
We have sent in a request to Bachmann and are waiting to hear back from them. 
Thank you all so much for your help. We really love this train. It is a lot of fun for our whole family.
Happy New Year!
Cathy

[jward]

i have been taking locomotives apart so long i sometimes forget that to others this can be a daunting task.

a small chunk  of rubber on the wheel tread would make the locomotive hop and probably derail but it shouldn't stop it dead.

if you have a gear slipping, you should be able to hear the motor turning, and probably a clicking sound from the gears as well.

[Doneldon]

Cathy-

You can open a gear box on most locomotives without disassembling the
gear train (no pun intended). That will allow you to inspect it without
risking little pieces laying around after you've put it all back together
again.
                                                               -- D