I've had this loco for quite some time (5 or so years) and it ran great throughout my layout. Lately, I had a neighborhood 8 year old visit my layout with nobody home and no invitation. His parents found my Dash 8 in his pocket when I confronted them.
Having said that, you will note I'm not in jail, hence me asking about parts. He "tore" the trucks from the loco somewhat and tried to see how it worked. While I admire his technical curiosity, I was rather upset with his choice of exploration.
From what I've taken note of so far, I need a drive shaft and pick-up wipes. I laid the loco, minus trucks, on the track with the frame making contact with the rails and the motor moves freely in both directions. I looked in the parts department and noted that no drive shafts are presented there and the wipes aren't presented either.
Any advice?
Make the kids parents buy you a new Atlas Dash 8. As much as I like Bachmann steam, the Dash 8 design could use some work. The Atlas loco will run much better.
It sounds like you may have one of the first version Dash 8's. They redesigned them a while back and the parts are not interchangable or available.
If it's the early (first) version and you want parts, you are going have to find a donor.
Check eBay or a train show. They are plentiful.
Please contact me off list, I may have the parts you seek.
daniel_leavitt2004@yahoo.com