Quick Question, what Lubricant do you reccomend for the rods of steamers?

Okay, so a while back i mentioned I was trying to find one of the SY 2-8-2's that had been out of production for a few years, well I found one. I just got it in the mail and, when i placed it on the oval of track I noticed it was very jerky, a big shudder happening at every revolution of the drivers. Still, it has been in the shrink-wrapped package for a while (since it was out of production years ago, and was still sealed) So I figured I'd do the breaking in and it should get better. Well, I was doing that, and had just gone to do the stop and start at a different speed. Stopped it, brought the power back to the rails and.... Nothing, it just sits there, no lights, no motor, Nada. Curious, I placed my 2-8-0 on the track instead and it ran fine, the weirdest part is yet to come, I placed BOTH on the track and nothing happens, lift the 2-8-2 off and the 2-8-0 starts right up. I have NO clue what could cause this, any ideas?

So, as I may or may not have mentioned, I haven't really been able to afford a proper Layout (Being in college will do that) But I was  looking at shelf Layout Last night and thought to myself, This looks like a fun way to  Build a small but entertaining thing that could still be fun. Now, Obviously making one still will take a LOT of time, budgeting, and care but as we all know, a good layout starts with planning so I made a quick Track plan for a 1x12 that looks kind of cool and, more importantly, Affordable. So I was wondering if anyone had any opinions on it as well as advice for these small layouts.

So, I just got one of the new "standard" 2-8-0's. I know there has been some discussion regarding It's performance (especially regarding the 3-pole motor) So I thought i would share my two cents.

The Locomotive looks the same as the Spectrum ones, So cosmetically, It matches perfectly. As for running, It actually performs quite nicely, contrary to some fears, It runs slow speed very well, even without breaking it in it could take two second per wheel rotation without stuttering. In my opinion, The new motor is not a problem, it was made well enough to do the job.

So yeah, in summation, It is a perfectly fin locomotive (though why they switched it i have no idea) The only problem i had was the wires were too stiff and lifted the tender off the rails. I pushed them upwards and it eventually worked but That is an issue on many Bachmann Locomotives.

Hello, Does anyone know of a place that may have older Bachmann Spectrum Locomotives? I am trying to find one of the NYSW SY 2-8-2 Locomotives but as they are out of production, I have had no luck. Of  course I monitor the Ebay (Passed on the last one I saw Due to it being unlettered, Regretting it now) So I figured, might as well ask.

Okay, so i have a question. I am in the process of restoring my grandfathers old IHC USRA Light Pacific. Cosmetically, it is missing a lot of parts but that can be fixed relatively simply with all the customizing parts out there. The harder thing is what I need help with, The Locomotive is obviously very old and the contacts that rub against the wheels are destroyed. What is the best way to replace them? The locomotive runs, roughly but runs none the less, if power goes to the motor. I dont intend to make it DCC or anything, it wont be a main locomotive for me but i wish to restore it. The damage was caused by a 6 year old me after all!

Hello, I ordered a frontiersman set from a person selling one very cheap. I really just wanted it for the Locomotive but when it arrived, the locomotive didn't work. The seller gave me my money back and even let me keep the item so now i have a question. The Locomotive is a 2-8-0 Spectrum with DCC on board. The problem is two-fold:

One, the simple one, is that the pilot truck is broken leaving the axle falling out, not great but may be fixable.
Two, the bad one: The Locomotive does not move and the lights do not come one. If the powerpack goes to max, a faint noise can be heard from the locomotive. but nothing else happens. I am using a DC pack, as i have not moved to DCC quite yet. Does anybody know what might cause this issue? I would suspect a damaged Drive train and that the noise is the motor but that wouldn't stop the lights would it?

I am tempted to use the refund money to send it in for repairs but at 9 dollars shipping each way and 45.00 for the repair, It is a tough choice.