I've got a 4-8-4 from Bachmann the doesn't run. The motor makes the noises of trying to run, but the rods and drivers don't move. They don't appear to be stuck or jammed. It was packed well and was in a taped up box, in it's original packings. Any ideas...
Sounds like a very old first run model. I would suggest calling Bachmann and sending them the locomotive and 20 dollars for a replacement. the old ones didn't run verywell in the first place and if it is as old as yousay it could be cracked gears dried out gearbox or one of many little demons.
Stephen
I beleive this is one of the rubber tube driven locomotives. The rubber tube has probably disitigrated by now, and needs to be replaced. I beleive model aircraft fuel line will suffice. My grandad and I fixed an older Tenshodo northern with the stuff. It runs great.
You might also want to lube it.
T enshodo and the old Bachmann are not in the same ball park. There is no easy fits for the old Bachmann other than park it for looks. They do look nice.
If you like the locomotive, try a Bowser replacement mechanism. It is easy enough for a begginer to install and runs very well.
Figure out whether it is a Daylight or one of the other 4-8-4s.
If you get a bowser kit, get the valve gear assembled if you're not sure how to do it. It can be tricky.