Plastic rod falling off?

[Polargirrl]

Dear Bach-Man,

we have a Disney Lilly Belle 4-4-0 HO train.  A year ago we sent in to be repaired, because a long plastic rod had fallen off the engine/tender.  All was fixed, but it has happened again.  We were just looking at it, it was not even running.  If we try to run it, the lights turn on, the engine runs, but the wheels do not turn.  What and where does this 2" plastic piece go?  Do we have to send it back in to be repaired or can I do this at home....frustrated.

[Bucksco]

The rod that goes between the loco and tender is the drive shaft. The electric motor that drives the train is located in the tender and power is transferred to the loco via this drive shaft. The part can be ordered from our service department. No need to send in the loco.
http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_68_87&products_id=195

[richardl]

Here is a diagram of the loco and tender. If the loco and tender are handled incorrectly, the rod can fall out. Has happened to me as I have some of these old American 4-4-0's.
One end fits into the worm gear on the loco in the picture.

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/dwgs/4-4-0.2.pdf

Rich