As light as the loading on the spring should have been, it does seem odd that it would completely collapse like that. Normally I would just pull that spring back to a longer length and think nothing of it, but it seems that old spring lacks adequate temper!?!?

Likely, much of the advice and suggestions you have already received will lead you to the problem and the cure. However, I simply wish to point out that real locomotives quite often are seen to "wander" side to side between the rails, especially ones with shorter wheel-bases on older, less well maintained track that has sags and humps on one rail or the other, or both.

I was happy to buy a bit over $100 worth at the discount price.

Without 30% off and free shipping the total would have been more like about $180, so quite the bargain really!!!

Yep, thanks for that response. I contacted Bachmann and got the same answer.

Only wish that point had been made more clearly in the email promo that I received!?!?

Howdy Folks

I just tried to make use of the Fourth of July discount code for 25% off and free shipping that Bachmann sent me a couple of days ago, that is supposed to be good until midnight tonight ET, which is still about six hours off. The code they emailed me is shown as both "Fireworks24" and "fireworks24" that is both capitalized and not, which isn't a good sign, but I tried both and got the not valid message with each. It is now too late to call Bachmann, I know as I tried, so emailed the parts department with the message and order information, but don't expect to hear back anytime soon.

Anybody else try and fail or succeed at using the holiday discount code???

Anyone know if the sale is still going now?

I'm not seeing anything in the parts catalog that suggests that it is, so perhaps it has already expired?!?!

Hello Bachmann

I'm one of those old guys who does not like change, but looking over your new parts catalog, I'd have to say that it is A-Okay!

Thanks for sticking with us on these discontinued product lines!!!

Wow Kevin ..... you certainly have taken that one to the next level!

VERY NICE!!!

If it works for you .... then it works and that's great!

I've occasionally had problems with the vertical lock pin not dropping all the way down, and releasing, or the bottom of it getting bumped up which also initiates a release situation. Other than those issues, I've found the Bachmann couplers to be pretty darn good!!!

Don't forget that even some of the ones with the "crumbling trucks" may yet be good for extended service. Don't know how much longer mine may last, but I have definitely already gotten my money's worth out of them!

Of course, this is nothing that you can tell from eBay photos and descriptions, nor even be relied upon from the seller's responses to questions you may ask, but it is worth knowing that at least some of the old ones can still run!!!

I have a couple of the first version, though one is still boxed as a backup. The one that I run regularly must have something like a hundred actual miles on it by now. I do have a set of the new version replacement trucks for it, and the motor block body does have some cracks and a broken-out corner where a screw split it, but so far they are still working for me, so I'll not replace them until I actually have to do so to keep running!

Love these engines, even with their early production flaws!!!

I liked it!!!

Don't know how many of you may have attended this years convention in the SF Bay Area, but the concentration of truly superb and spectacular layouts was mind boggling to say the least!

Perhaps my main takeaway however, was that there were more Bachmann Shay locomotives, in both the two and three truck versions, being run on more of the layouts, than perhaps all other types and brands of locomotives combined!!!

Steam only here, though that does include a little live steam as well, all narrow gauge 1/20.3 - 1/22.5 scale.

I am amazed and eternally grateful for all that Bachmann has produced over the years, while of course saddened that so little of these great items are produced nowadays, but at least I was able to get what I got back when!!!

Should probably add that I doubt the diesel bug will ever bite me in large scale, but I do understand the attraction for many if not most of those in the hobby.

Agreed, and I've not seen a better price in a long time!

Seller doesn't have a perfect feedback score though, so you may want to consider that factor before you purchase?!?!