I'd probably take one too since its an Eastern engine.

It doesent have to be a total loss though. Bachmann has a great repair policy. Contact Laura in the service dept. and she will tell you what to do. Basically you will send the loco and I think 25 bucks to the service dept, and they will most likely send you back a brand new loco. ( If they are in stock )  otherwise they will probably give you other options depending on what they have at the time.......Mike

Probably a basic block system is the least expensive control system for model railroads. Here is a link that should help get you started.......Mike

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Model-Railroads-2372/2009/3/Running-2-trains-set.htm

One way to keep them on is to put just a little paint into the groove on the wheel. Take off the cover plate on the bottom and remove the wheel with the tire. It should come right out, it isn't connected to the side rods. put a little paint into the groove and then carefully replace the tire. It should stay in place after the paint dries. Personally I have never had to do this, but I have heard from many people that it works. You don't want to use any kind of glue like ACC as that would harden the tire and it would not work properly. HTH.....Mike

I also have one of the 2-6-6-2 locos.They are great running locos,although the pulling power isn't the greatest. If you're looking for other good N scale locos, the best place to find out which ones are the best is www.spookshow.net . He has a review of EVERY N scale loco ever made, and a good honest review of each of them.

I got a nice set of Bachmann 10,000 gal tankers (black color Phillips 66 ) from a large discounter in Brooklyn NY. a couple months ago. Sounded like they have a pretty good stock of them at that time. And the price was really good compared to retail. For anyone looking for some black tankers.........Mike

Both the 2-6-0 and 4-6-0 are great locos. really depends on which one you like. Also the NEW run of the 2-8-0 has a DCC decoder already installed, and comes with Microtrains style couplers. Don't know if you ever found this yet  www.spookshow.net but he has information on EVERY N scale locomotive ever built......Mike

You can get the Model Power 4-4-0 to pull better but it will take some work. Its not something I have done , but there is a short vid on you tube about it. You will want to change the tender to a Bachmann Spectrum tender to get all wheel pick up on the tender. Then you will need to apply Bullfrog Snot to all 4 of the locomotive drivers. That might do the trick to get it pulling up such a steep grade........Mike

As far as the DCC aspect goes for this loco, it is definately do-able.  I found the instructions for doing it on another forum and kinda followed their guidelines today. I used an old Model Power tender instead of the orrigional slope back to get better power pick-up though. Wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it might be.....Mike

Check to make sure the little copper wipers are inserted into the small slots in the bottom of the tender on the rear truck. As far as the way it pulls, that kinda the way these locos are. You could try some Bullfrog Snot on a pair of the drivers, but thats about it . http://www.bullfrogsnot.com/ ....Mike

Yep I was looking at the picture...Didn't know this set was so new......Mike

 I don't think its the newest one since it has the Rapido coupler. But there really isn't much difference in performance unless you get a really old one from the 70's. The electrical pick-up will be a lot better if you switch the tenders for a Spectrum one, but that's the only real improvement you can easily make.....Mike

What you now have is a reverse loop. The track is shorting out when you throw the switches.  This is going to take a bit of special wiring to get it to work. This may help a bit http://www.outsidetrains.com/info/reverse.html . If you Google reverse loop wiring, you should be able to get some more info.....Mike

I'll second the small 2-8-2. USRA light Mikago would be great. The Model Power is nice, but they arn't easy to get.

I'm guessing that this is possibly an electrical pick-up problem with the loco. Turn the loco over and make sure the post on the loco that the drawbar attaches to is clean and shiny . Sometimes they have a bit of paint on them from the factory. Also check that the drawbar wires firmly contact the truck wiper fingers on either side of the forward truck. Sometimes they need to be bent out just a hair for best contact. ....Mike