I agree w/ Athearn. They have made good products for years (once you get past the HiFi drive system).

As far as AHM, TYCO, Mantua, Life Like, Bachmann, some of the mid '70's stuff was a bit cheap and did run like a slot car.

The AHM's I have have been "reworked" and are quite reliable. Most of the Bachmann and Life Like are BER (beyond economical repair), except for the Proto and Spectrum. Those are nice pieces.

What I have been telling beginners these days who have young kids, go to EBay, find something decent and reasonably priced and have fun.

This way, if it gets broke, no loss. You also find out if the kid wants to even play with the trains.

I found the issue. It appears as though one of the front trucks gear shaft either shifted or is a bit long and caused a short on the pickups.

It does appear that the board my be toast. I bypassed it and the loco runs like a champ!!!

To a point, I think the the hobby has pretty much priced itself out to the beginner.

I can remember years ago my dad and I could go out and for about $20, be able to have something to start with. I was 8-10 years old.

I can't fathom going out and spending $50 to $100 for a trainset that my 8 year old is going to tear up.

Odd thing of it is, I hear some people putting down the older equipment. Much like anything else, if you take care of it, it will take care of you.

I still run an old TYCO 0-4-0 switcher from the '50's from time to time along with 3 old Revell F series diesels (the ones w/ the rubberband drive). Granted, they don't see much time because of the age (played heck getting parts for the Revell's!).

I'm still a DC person. My 11ft x 13ft pike just doesn't warrent DCC yet.

I have an old one also. It got crossed up on a switch over a few years back and hasn't worked since.

I opened it up the other day and found my brushes were shot.

Unfortunately, it appears Bachmann has "re-worked" the De Witt Clinton and the parts arent the same any more.

OK.

Found the grey wire going to the motor was loose at the board. While it was loose, I tested the motor. It ran. Re-soldered the grey wire to the board. Motor stopped running.

I believe the issue might be the board itself.

Since I'm not DCC, would there be harm in wiring the motor to the wheels bypassing the board?

It now appears the locomotive has stopped running period.

No odd smells, but it won't run.

All,

Looking for some help here as it would seem I've missed something. I was told that the FT-A w/ DCC on-board was backwards compatible w/ a DC layout. The issue I have is the locomotive seems to "stutter" on my DC layout. I have no plans in the near future of doing DCC. I like the locomotive (its painted for the Seaboard) and the price was right.

Any help and insight is GREATLY appreciated!!!