Guess I need to try dissasembling it and get to cleaning. I'll let you all know.

Well, i got down eye level with the tender with a flashlight and both axles on the front truck of the tender are not even rolling. Well, one sort of moves but it's definatly not rolling at the speed the loco is going. Does anyone have a fix for this? Is it something that needs to be sent back? Or what part numbers do I need to look into for a replacement tender?

thanks for the input guys! I'll see what I can do for the tenders drag problem.

No, only this one. The set came with a 0-6-0 switcher that runs fine, (except uphill) and I have a 4-8-4  class J Spectrum that runs fine on the track too.

I've started with a Yard Boss set and have already started collecting track for a bigger layout. I've been building one that looks pretty good and it's got a 2% grade up and down on it. The little 0-6-0 Switcher that the set came with pulls the included cars okay until it gets near the top of the "up" grade. Then the little wheels start spinning. It makes it to the top but I'm worried about wearing out the "traction" tires and the track too. The same amount of cars (3) pulled with the little F-9 diesel I got used pulls them and a few more, uphill just fine. Then again, it seems a lot heavier than the steamer.
For some reason, I've always been drawn towards steam engines and so I'm wondering what ones out there will pull a few cars and still work on all the 11.25 turns I already have. I'm still running DC. DCC is in the future but not right now.
Thanks for the help. I know I keep asking a lot, but I'm an R/C car racer that's starting a new hobby.

I recently got a used F-9 diesel loco and it seems that at about 50% power, it'll go fine but if I speed it up it'll go faster few about 15 seconds then it'll slow down a little then a few seconds later, it'll speed up again. Rinse and repeat. What the heck would cause this? I've changed out the trandformer, speed control and did the best I could cleaning the engine. Is it wearing out? Thanks for any help.

Although,,, there is an idea rolling around in my head of something simpler than switching anything. Maybe I should start fabricating and testing,,,,, 

I guess I could try that route. Seems all I've been able to find on e-Bay is "running" ones. And mostly the old ones like the one I have or older. The newer ones are just a little too high right now. Can't seem to find any dead ones for parts.

Where can I find any plans or layout diagrams that use N scale E-Z Track? I'd like to find something that doesn't involve converting from some other scale as math and I don't seem to get along.

Thanks to all of you for the help. Now to start switching parts out. 

So then none of the parts listed on this site works in the older loco and only work on the newer one? Bummer. Anyone else out there have any ideas?

Okay, I know I shouldn't have done it without checking into it further, but I bought a N+W Class J 4-8-4 Limited edition loco. Can this be sent in for repairs or am I toast? Valve gear is locking up the drivetrain, and it seems the gears might be messed up as the wheels on one side will turn, but not on the other side due to the messed up valvetrain.. It also needs a drawbar, it's missing. Please say I've got some kind of a prayer to fix it. It's a really nice looking train.

Sounds like a good idea about the transition car. Called the hobby store, they don't have Bachmann trucks in stock but they have the MT's. This is sort of odd to me as they have so much Bachmann stuff. Trains, cars, Plasticville, track, and switches. Of coure I got the "we can order it for you" line.

God, I'm starting to love e-Bay!

Thanks guys!. Next stop, the hobby store!! (Maybe I should call them first,,,,,)

By the way, will the MT 1037 trucks work on these cars? If all I need is to do is enlage the mounting hole, I got tools for that. (I race R/C cars, lots of little tools to use!)

Yardmaster, these trucks will fit on my cars that came with the Yard Boss set? If so, the next stop is the Hobby Barn in Wilson,,,,