Quote from: Trainman203 on November 15, 2020, 11:21:51 AM
Wall displays .  Not only are the motors c**p, but the lubricants on the gears are likely dried out and would necessitate opening up the engine for service. 

The newer ones are available at discount houses at good prices. 

https://www.trainworld.com/manufacturers/bachmann/bachmann-ho-scale/bachmann-steam-locomotives-2/bachmann-53202-class-j-4-8-4-w-sound-dcc-norfolk-western-613/

By the time you ship the old one around you'd be well into what you could get a mechanically much better one for, with sound to boot.  Although you'd have to buy an EZ command unit to run it.  You'd never be sorry though.  Butter smooth operation with sound too!  Model railroading is fun!

Yeah, the motors are crap. I can agree with that. If repairs aren't really an option, I guess I wouldn't feel so bad if I could buy JUST an updated chassis w/out the shell. At least that way I could USE them and still say with some honesty that they (in part) belonged to my grandfather.

Thank you.

Quote from: rich1998 on November 15, 2020, 11:02:26 AM



Nice to sign your name at the end of your message. I learned that in grammar school.

My handle is right there in the upper left hand corner next to my avatar. I asked a question looking for information, not to be chastised over an opinion about grammar school "etiquette". But thanks for the input. When I write a letter, I'll be sure to sign my name...... sincerely.

Good morning. I inherited from my grandfather a couple of  Norfolk and Western Class J locomotives that came in the yellow collectors edition boxes. I believe they were manufactured in the early 80's. I put them on my test track, only to have the light come on, but no movement. I don't really want to chance opening them up, as I am mechanically uninclined when it comes to steam locomotives. My question is would it be worth sending them into Bachmann to possibly get a diagnosis and repair, or are they just too old and obsolete? I'd like to see them running for my grandfather's sake, but if not, they'd be wall displays. Thanks in advance.