I have the Davenport, has 4 wheels with 4 pickups that touch the wheels.  I have noticed that these don't all touch the wheels at all times. The 4 pickups each have a roller that has spring tension behind it to keep contact with the corresponding wheel.  They don't. Only 2 of them do and the other 2 sometimes. 

My question is do these pickups (all 4 of them) need to contact the wheels at all times?

Maybe this is the reason I am having problems with the loco needing a push.

I have not bypassed the PCB, as for testing purposes yet.  I will need to make a jumper to fit the terminals
properly. 

I have inspected all wiring and just not sure about the pickups. I would think they all 4 need to contact the wheels at all times.

I have a new davenport.  Sometimes I have noticed more, the engine needs a push to get it going and once it goes it seems ok, perhaps a little slow, like something dragging or maybe an electrical problem,  the 3 cars all roll fine, just the engine has a problem.

Hello all, just want you to know that I received a train Oct 3. the lumberjack.  The controller was bad so I have not been able to run the train.
Today is the 11th.  I submitted the necessary doc's to Bachmann on Friday 5th, but spelled bachmann wrong- bachman.

So they did not receive the email. I resent using the correct name Sunday.  I still have no controller. I did however order a brand new G scale controller from Ebay for $ 6.95 plus $ 6.95 shipping, and received today the 11th.

The davenport works fine and reminds me of the 80's and my HO

I am however not satisfied with Bachmann due to a defective controller and slow shipping.

So be careful who and what you buy.  This is my first Bachmann and my last.

Is this loco supposed to have sound?? There is none.
I removed the top and found an 8 pin plug connected but no speaker.

The led on the controller goes dim when i turn the speed up.  the loco has no movement,no light,sound,etc.