Thanks, I guess I didn't read the manual closely enough 

-Mark

It appears that the corridor lights are always on and the emergency strobe only comes on after stopping (and stays on until the locomotive starts moving again). Is there any way to control that behavior or is that all just automated?

Thanks,
-Mark

That worked, thanks.

-Mark

Anybody know how to get the shell off of one of these?

Thanks,
-Mark

It looks like Bachmann needs to update their "Parts, Service & Information" web page. There is a link for "Soundtraxx Decoder CVs", but it goes to a dead page on the soundtraxx website (https://soundtraxx.com/factory/bachmann.php).

-Mark

To remove the shell, simply spread the sides of the shell apart at the fuel tank and lift. Getting the pilot coupler through the pilot on an "A" unit takes a bit of twisting and finagling, but it can be done relatively easily.

-Mark

Yes, the top piece slides up and out. Perhaps this will help -



-Mark

Says the GP40 w/ sound is "shipping now" but I haven't seen any show up on etailer sites yet.

-Mark

The motor lives inside the tender and there's supposed to be a plastic driveshaft connecting the motor to the worm gears inside the engine. Sounds like yours is missing its driveshaft. Depending on which version of the 4-4-0 you have, it would look like one of these -



-Mark

Haven't tried it myself, but I think MTL 1128 is the one you want for that.

-Mark

Have you tried contacting the Bachmann parts department directly? They sometimes wind up with oddball stuff that doesn't make it into the parts listings on the website (like from when people return defective locos).

-Mark

Try a decoder reset (write 8 to CV8) if you haven't already. Same as rebooting a computer, it's always the first thing to try.

-Mark

I agree with James, I don't think the shell would cause a short-circuit in and of itself (it being entirely plastic), but putting it on may be causing problems with the motor wires. How snug is the decoder installation? I could see the shell pushing down on the motor wires and maybe causing the decoder to move around and lose contact with the chassis if it's not tightly engaged in the chassis slots. Or maybe the shell is causing one or more of the wires to lose contact with the decoder. Are they soldered to the decoder or just pressed into it?



-Mark

Quote from: jbm3238 on May 03, 2019, 12:22:59 PM
OK now I hope this doesn't open a heated discussion, but what do you recommend I use to "clean everything"?

I'm thinking Isopropal alcohol?

Isopropal does the job for me.

-Mark

Quote from: Maletrain on May 03, 2019, 09:38:55 AM
Mark, Have you ever tried some of those conductivity-enhancing coatings on those surfaces.  Some, like "Never-stall" are greasy, and might catch dust and still allow a stall.  But there is also "Neolube",which produces a dry graphite surface that conducts.  But, does that wear off?

I sometimes use conductalube for moving parts (like axle-ends). I've never tried Neolube, though.

-Mark