Class J 4-8-4 Disappointment

[cmsluss]

My amazing wife purchased the Spectrum N Scale Class J 4-8-4 for me.  The locomotive ran great out of the jewel box.  The other day, I am running the J, I turn my chair to look at something else and I hear a "thud".  I turn back to the layout to find my J on it's side.  The disc (part #MTB17) that holds the short drive rod (part MTD05) in place just popped off, jamming the drivers on the fireman side of the locomotive.

Even though the locomotive is just past the factory warranty, I am aware I can return it to Bachmann for repair, but I'm putting more money in what I thought was a nice locomotive... and... having sent other units back to Bachmann... I know the turn around time can be lengthy.

I'm at the point of thinking my N scale layout is going to be "diesel only" with these kind of issues.

Merry Christmas all!

[Bipeflier]

Put some Atlas or Kato steam on it and you will be pleased.  I also have several B'Mann steam engines that are jewels.  All of mine are DC so I can't speak to the DCC equipped engines.

[cmsluss]

Thanks for the encouragement!
I'm sure my expression was a social media moment when I saw my J off the track!
I think I was shocked that a locomotive that appears to be well designed and that well built would have a hardware failure like that!

[propmeup1]

Don't give up on Bachmann just yet. i know the turn around can be long. I have two of the Js, the newer ones and they run great. So much pulling power they throw their traction tires off sometimes. They are great with a decoder in them.  I have four of the EM1 which are awesome too.  The Kato 2-8-2 is very good if you want to jump ship.
Keith

[cmsluss]

Thanks much for the input!

I am guesstimating at least 90 days out and back from Bachmann, $45 for the work plus shipping.

Having grown up around the N&W ( I used to go to sleep listening to coal drags) and getting to see the J on excursions and ferry trips, I'm fond of this model... I just don't want to get into diminishing returns!

[cmsluss]

While having lunch with my wonderful Wife, she thought maybe my Class J could be repaired without sending it to Bachmann for five weeks.   With a large magnifying class in hand and some tiny tools, I attempted to replace the disc that holds the smaller drive rod in place.  The disc is part of the cylinder assembly.  From the factory, it comes with a tiny dot of solder to hold it in place.  I didn't want to risk damage to the plastic of the cylinder assembly since the space is very confined, so I tried Super Glue to secure the disc on it's mount.  At the moment, it's holding and the Class J is back on the track.  Hopefully, she'll keep pulling my N scale Powhatan Arrow!

Many thanks to all who offered your thoughts and advice!