Hi Lionel00,
         671 here. I have several of the "Stream line" Tenders including one from a 671 S2 WbyB turbine.
         The most probable cause of center pick-up binding is Carbonizing of the lubricating oil. This happens due to several contributing factors.
1.   Dust and dirt build-up on the center shaft to roller.
2.   Using the wrong lubricant. Mineral based oils will have a tendency to carbonize. This will cause binding of the roller
3.   Use of a non-conducting lubricant can cause electrical arching between the roller and its' center shaft ( Axle ). This results in extremely high temperatures at these points, resulting in an electrolysis pitting of the mating surfaces. This creates binding by creating a rough pitted surface to surface contact point.

Remedy:  Clean with plastic safe contact cleaner ( Radio Shack Product ).
Go to your local Hobby Shop for the correct lubricant or try 'On-Line' suppliers.

If the grooving is severe, order replacement pick-ups from the Williams parts section @ this site. Replace the pick-ups.

                                       Good luck...671

Hi Bob,

      Phillyreading is correct, The sound card and speaker can be found within the tender.
      I have the J 4-8-4 B&O Royal Blue. ( Same Loco as Canadian different paint)The loco appears to share the same chassis as their Berksire Locomotive.
      Open up the tender shell and try adjusting the potentiometer and or bend it into it's original shape.
      I have had a lot of success with correcting faulty Horns and Whistles using this simple repair.

                                Good Luck...671

Hi Bob,

       Use the search above. Search for...True Blast II Problem...posted by 671. I think the info will solve your challenge.

                                         671

Hi Cobrabob,

            I know that you like the PRR. Take a look at the 'Wholesale Trains' Website. WbyB EP5 on sale!!!
$81.99 each. I have a EP5 New Haven, good puller/runner. Time to add a new 'Pony' to the stable.
                                               671

binh bill,
       
           Hi, 671 here. You did not indicate how your block system is wired/workings.
I am taking a "Leap of faith" on this to help you with your challenge. I will assume that the lead train jumps the two outside insulated rails. This opens the following trains circuit through the use of a double pole double throw relay. When the lead train travels far enough ahead, the following trains relay returns to normal run mode. This action energizes the center rail to allow that train to run. If this is correct than this very simple change may solve your challenge.

            Instead of the relay totally de-energize the center rail. have that open throw on your relay have the same track power, switched by the relay, travel through a 12-14volt light bulb. The result should be a stalled or very slow moving train. The light bulb will be acting as a resistor reducing substantially the power to the following train's engine. It should "Hold" the electronic E-unit into it's forward mode.
You could actually use that lighted up bulb as a block indicator on your control panel.

                             This is what I would do...671
Anyother questions, feel free to ask!

mikemarxs,
           I would think that if the tires are... Cracked, loose on the wheel, hard like stone, worn way below the tire groove, slipping even after cleaned, out of round or falling off the wheel, it is time to replace.
           If this is not the case, keep on running them.

                                                   671

Hi Cobrabob,

          Your layout looks great! I see a lot of exposed bare wood. If you are going to put "grass" in those areas, here is an idea.
          McMaster Carr is an on line catalogue. Take a look at...'Sweeping Compound'. item # 7264T15. This is a green colored Woodfiber and Wax product.
          I used it this year on our building's public train layout display. It is a green fluffy product similar to what you buy in the hobby shops for $10-$15 a pound.
          You can buy a 50 lbs. container for $43.14.. That will easily cover all of your bare spots. You will have enough left over to use as a sweeping compound. I.E. garage floor, concrete floors, etc.
          I installed/applied this product by using a heavy coating of lighter/ medium brown latex paint, and then sprinkled the compound over the paint to adhere it to the train table.
          It looked great! The light wax smell dissipated within a day or two. I then sprinkled some decorative snow flakes to complete the winter scene.
          The green looked great, and it is cheap !!!!

                                          Go Green...671

Hi M1FredQ,

                 I think that is a tag from when Williams by Bachmann was originally Williams. I have that tag on all of my four 60' Madison sets. I believe it states that it is wired or ready for the station sounds. It does not have the sound electronics within the baggage car. That must have been a add on that you could buy in the past.
                 Maybe someone else on the site would have a better answer.

                 Well we are suppose to have a Blizzard here on Long Island starting tomorrow. I had plans of going to the Greenberg Train Show Saturday at Queens College. I guess that will not happen. Oh well I guess I will stay home and play with my trains.
                             Good luck and have lots of fun with your new equipment.

                                          671

                                                   

Hi FredQ,

          You can order a replacement smoke unit from the on site parts section...'small size' 8 volt...price $20.00.

          Before you order a new unit, try putting the loco into neutral, run the track voltage up to12volts, observe how it smokes, if at all. If good, you do not need a new smoker.

          If you change out the smoke unit, it is held in place with 'Hot Glue' sometimes the tip of the hot soldering iron can help loosen the glue. Keep in mind that the Smoke stack top protruding from the boiler body is also 'Hot Glued' in. The smoker unit and the stack may come out together.
          The smoker needs the voltage regulator to receive approx. 10-12 volts. This allows for voltage loss due to the electronics. 8 volts of track voltage will produce about 6 volts from the smoker circuit. This will under power the smoker for a poor smoke output.
           The loco runs very fast at 10-12 track volts. I have solved this problem using the ' Joe Satnik' rectifier voltage reduction to the electric motor. Check the posts for mine and Joe's detailed action to be taken.

                                 Keep on Smokin'...671

Hi stubbsO,

                Rid yourself of all this frustration. Trainland sells a Williams by Bachmann reverser board for approx. $ 35.00. Buy a new board, put the old board in 'Attic Stock' for a rainy day. It sounds as if the past owner change some of the hard wiring on the reverser board.
                Wire in the new board ( Simple ). The new board will start the loco in forward. It will then cycle to neutral and then reverse. If you leave it un-powered for 4-7 seconds it will always revert back to forward start.

                                       ...671

Hi Uncle Curtis,

                What you are describing is common to the Williams by Bachmann Locomotives. The ' Can ' style motors that are used in their locos are very efficient. The only part of the motor that needs energizing with track power is the rotating part of the motor. Some call this this the Rotor others call it the Armature. Armature is the correct term because the rotating section of the motor is directly energized by brushes. Rotors are usually found in induction type motors, no direct contact with brushes to energize the rotating section. The 'field', within the motor, is created by very powerful permanent magnets.
                 Years ago Lionel used a 'universal motor' that needed the armature and the field to be powered by the track power. These are more energy consuming motors. They needed a minimum of 8-14 volts to run at a controlled speed.
                 The Williams' loco that you have has two 'Can' motors wired in parallel. Look on these postings, Joe Satnik has a description as to how to change the wiring to a 'Series' wired circuit. This will allow you to raise the transformer power to almost twice the track voltage, but still have the loco travel at a more controlled speed.
                  The result will be...Brighter lighting in the loco and passenger cars with closer to scale speed. This is a simple "FIX", you will be very pleased with the results. Cost to you will only be the short time you spend on doing this.
                   Joe Satnik will respond if you need any technical questions answered on this retrofit


                                             ...671

Hi Patrick,

         I agree with phillyreading. Buy a new 'U-Boat'. Trainland has the U33c on sale at $99.99. Pull the motors and electronics out of your old unit ( spare parts ). Lash it up, make a dummy out of it. Put your new one that you buy with it.
         I have the U33c in the Reading road name. Nice colors, details, smoooooth runner and strong puller.

                                      ...671

Hi Joe,

       I will try to open up my GP 38 Santa Fe. It was purchased in 2012. I will double check the wiring in that unit's reverser board. I would think that it is the same for the brand new units.
        I'll get back to you on this.
        It is cold here on Long Island, great weather to play with trains.
        The Greenberg toy Train show is coming to Long Island Feb 9-10 at Queens college. I need to go and spend some time there and some money ( I am addicted ).
        I hope Williams will have a booth there. I would like to talk to them about their products. This GG-I challenge that has shown up, could cause mistrust in their product line.
        I would like them to install smoke on - off switches, series or parallel, Reverser board lockout.  Up grade kits for sound. Lighting up-grade kits to diodes.
        I for one like to tinker. I am sure other fellow hobbyists at times feel a need to upgrade their current stable of locos and cars.
        Some smoke from a caboose, or Madison car. One loco's whistle different from another's. I have 5 Williams by Bachmann Steamers, They all blow the same style and report. This could easily be changed with an optional sound chip. I am sure that would sell.
         I live in a very populated area of the country. I have easy access to many products that maybe fellow hobbyist don't. It would be nice to give them a plug and play options for the"Toys" we love. Let them customize to their needs and wants.
         Guys with Harleys and pick-up trucks customize their hobby/ride, why can't others have the same option without the threat of VOIDING the warranty?
         This threat causes people not to modify their trains to satisfy their needs and wants. It causes the hobbyist to look elsewhere.
         We all do not have unlimited space and funds for our trains. I for one have too little space for the amount of trains that I have. I now have fun,relaxation, enjoyment. etc. by upgrading and improving my trains looks and performance.

                                  Keep on Chuggin'...671

Hi Joe Satnik and Cobrabob,

           Am I mistaken? On the Electronic E-unit board are there not two motor plugs with two wires to each plug? The front of the engine electric motor turns the front truck wheels forward and the rear electric motor turns the truck wheel backward in relation to the truck. If this is the case, possibly switching the plugs on the board with each other's location, should cause the loco to start in reverse.
            I have not had one of my diesels open in a while, but that is how I remember it in my mind's eye.

                                                 671

Hi to all that read this,

   'Wholesale Trains' on line has a great sale if you are looking for a new FA-1 AA Loco set.  Very similar in size to the WbyB F3's.  $ 129.99 for the Williams by Bachmann A A set in several road names.

    I have the Louisville road name in the A B A. Great detail, handles, ladders and screening. Great runner! Smoooooth. Great puller! Dual motors.

    If you are looking for some new "Horses" for your stable, now is the time to act.

                      I love spending your money! (ha ha ha)...671