I have two, new from dealer. 44 tonners with DCC. They both have the open bottom gear covers, ( 5 gears ). Of the 8 axles involved, 6 were split on arrival. Gear portion of axle was fine in all cases. Only clue was wheel gage would widen out, causing derailments after awhile. Sent letter to Bachmann advising of problem. No response, 3 mos.
Solution. As gears were fine, and locos ran great, I figured if I could keep axles in place, and in gage, no problem.
I used a Loctite product, in small blue tube from Ace hardware. The product does not cure rock hard, and
allows it to be pulled apart with some slight force. It has held the axles in place perfectly.
These locos ran exceptionally smooth right from the factory. I have since upgraded them with Tsunami2 DCC & sound.
Freakin" awsome! I installed TSU1100 w/dual Catipillar engines, Current Keeper, and RailMaster sugar cube speaker. Motor control is phenominal (?), sound accuracy and fidelity will blow you away. These are now first class locos!
Don't give up on them, especially if they are newer production run.
Solution. As gears were fine, and locos ran great, I figured if I could keep axles in place, and in gage, no problem.
I used a Loctite product, in small blue tube from Ace hardware. The product does not cure rock hard, and
allows it to be pulled apart with some slight force. It has held the axles in place perfectly.
These locos ran exceptionally smooth right from the factory. I have since upgraded them with Tsunami2 DCC & sound.
Freakin" awsome! I installed TSU1100 w/dual Catipillar engines, Current Keeper, and RailMaster sugar cube speaker. Motor control is phenominal (?), sound accuracy and fidelity will blow you away. These are now first class locos!
Don't give up on them, especially if they are newer production run.