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badun
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 Posted - September 11 2007 : 09:16:45 AM
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I picked up a used Thomas The Tank Engine set for the kids, including the original EZ-Track and transformer. Works well, except the loco shimmies to the point where it will derail at speeds higher than half throttle. I cleaned and inspected Mr. Thomas and everything appears to be in good shape (no visible warping) and I also cleaned the track and ensured all joints were flush. Additionally, I put it on my EZ-Track layout and it shimmied there as well. Note that it did not come with rolling stock so I don't know if that makes a difference or not. Any ideas about what could cause the excessive shimmy?
Edited by - badun on September 11 2007 09:17:40 AM
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 Posted - September 11 2007 : 10:32:02 AM
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| Sounds like a bad driver, one that might be at a slight angle on the axle. Turn it upside down and apply power to the wheels. Watch the drivers as they turn. Look for a side to side motion on the wheels.
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Posted - September 11 2007 : 8:58:20 PM
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| I agree with shaygetz also. Could also be a Drive wheel out of round or a bent armature on which wormgear seats. Remember-Bachmann trains do have a lifetime warranty-Contact Bachmann for repair
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badun
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Posted - September 12 2007 : 08:58:03 AM
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| Thanks for the info! I didn't get a chance to look at it last night, but hopefully will get to this evening.
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badun
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Posted - September 15 2007 : 1:29:48 PM
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Here's a total noob question for you...
Disassembled, cleaned, and visibly straightened the wobbles (it was apparent under power). Reassembled. Now the wheels won't turn. I assume there's a trick to properly aligning the wheels again, but of course I can't figure it out!
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badun
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Posted - September 16 2007 : 8:51:50 PM
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| I figured it out. Just had to see a picture of what properly aligned wheels look like and it only took a few minutes. Thomas is now running straight and true. It's pretty hilarious watching it haul butt on the track. He certainly is a useful little engine! [:D]
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Posted - September 16 2007 : 10:19:40 PM
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I love mine...to the great dismay of some club members. Even put a DCC decoder in it to run at shows, the kids just love him. One open house, a little girl walked in and saw him across the room and squealed, "Momma. Momma, it's Thomas, it's Thomas!" When she got to him, it was right at the time his eyes looked towards her, to which she squeaked, "Momma, Momma, He's Real, he's real, he looked right at me!" You just can't get that from a $400 BLI lokey.
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Posted - September 19 2007 : 05:13:50 AM
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hey, go a little further...
We have a Thomas... I stop it in front of a child blazing a smile.
I pick it up and allow the child to hold it... like the little girl you mention, he was hooked... I pittied the mother who thanked me while carrying out the screaming child... uh oh... did I create a monster?
It always out-runs any train we have. We usually pull it out in front of any train, and pull it back into a siding before connecting to the slower train in front... But, when it's too far away to be side-tracked, it pushes at least five of the train-cars... so I tell the child as you know, "He's a very useful engine!"
Great story!
John
I don't have a one track mind. It depends on the turn-out.
"I love your catenary!"
Is that a power-trip or just another pick-up line?
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