Hi guys, me again. 1st, Thx to all replies to my "gear ratio" & "its official" posts. Sadly, I now believe my N&W Class "J" needs to go to the techno nerds. After lifting the body & checking again, it is the motor that stalls, whilst the Tsunami races on full noise as if she was do'n 110mph!!! When the motor stalls, it "hums" and that cannot be good. This has now got me beat. Thx Jim, but its not the gears. Why the motor stalls under load??? Mr Bach-man, someone down under will get my "J", but could it be just the motor, or could there be something more sinister hiding??? Whilst I have had her for some time, she is a new loco. As mentioned, I have a Branchline class 55 Deltic diesel which displays very similar traits. Thx Peter.

Righto guys, back with ya all.  1st, thx to the replies to my "Gear Ratio" ?  Now, about my Spectrum HO N&W 4-8-4 Class "J" (item 83904)  Why is it that she seems so ...um... sluggish.  She stalls with just 4 Pullman heavyweights, on good track, well powered (NCE Procab) large radius (26" min) & only 1.5% grade.  She stalls, or grinds to a halt, no wheelspin, whilst the Tsunami sound races on full speed???  MY Spectrum's K4 4-6-2 (item 84114) will go full noise with 6 heavy's, my USRA 2-6-6-2 will pull 36 coal hoppers no problem.  My best performer, Blueline's ATSF 4-8-4 (item 5160) rocks, but she is fitted with traction tyres.  Come on Mr Bach Man, help me out here, any ideas will be tried.  I have tested & tested again & again.  Why???  I was gifted with this beautiful loco, so I will not give up on her.  As a matter of intrest, I also have a Bachmann Branch-line Class 55 Deltic Diesel (item 32-530DS) 'St Paddy' which suffers from a very similar problem.  THX. Peter.

Hi guys.  Re: item 83904, Spectrum series HO N&W 4-8-4 Class "J" pass loco.  Beautiful loco, but does not have the grunt to pull the "Powhatan Arrow" on her own.  I wish to motorise either the "Canteen" (Spectrum item 89922) or the bagage car I have for that train, "chip it" then run them as a consist.  To do this properly, I need to know the gear ratio used in the Spectrum Class "J"  THX