Just started. Engine is about 3 months old. When running forward it sounds fine. When put into reverse there is a fairly load noise coming from the motor/gears. It almost sounds like metal grinding together. Engine has very low usage. Before I return to Bachmann I thought I'd check for possible cause. Thanks for any help you can give.
Also seemed to run a little slower than when it was first put on the layout.
Send it back with your purchase papers. They should replace it for free. It's in production so a replacement is available. Sounds like you got a Monday (or Friday) engine. Get a fresh start. Call them first. Easy and pleasant to deal with.
Before sending in I would pop off the shell & look for the problem a lot of Loco's have plastic gears you might have broken gears. If there metal gears & seem to be OK a little dab of gear lube should stop the noise if your mechanically inclined you should be able to repair the issue yourself. You could save yourself a lot of waiting time if you repair it yourself just order the parts you need & from your manual that came with the Loco you should be OK. I try to repair all my Locos myself because for some reason it takes longer to get the Loco back if I let my LHS do the work or send it into Bachmann.
Do not even think about getting to the gears on this almost new loco. Not worth the hassle.
I just looked at the loco diagram and I have some Bachmann steamers.
Rich
If it's almost new and under warranty I would not give even a second thought to "tinkering " with this engine , when you can get a perfect other one just by asking. Tinkering will destroy your warranty. It's a good thing at times but not this time, in my thinking. I had one of those MacArthurs that had an issue. Sent it back without the tender since I'd already done a sound install. Called first to tell them what I needed and the very polite rep said fine and exactly where and who to send it. Two weeks later I got a perfect engine-only back. She's still pulling locals on my branch line.
I have got same problem with a 2-8-2 soudn value HO.
I applied grease on the deepest of the cogs, after some time it started to operate normally.
I believe it was not correctly lubricated on the production line....