This is the one area I think Bachmann needs to work on. I understand that they want to control the repairs but most people like to fix the trains themselves and I have had a great experience with the repairs department get 2 steam engines fixed. Recently I needed a replacement light for 2 of my WBB steam engines. I couldn't find them and was told the same thing by the hobby shops, we can't get replacement parts. What I would like to see if they are not going to sell to hobby shops is an online store that we can just order the parts. I have 11 WBB engines so far and they are the ones I run now. But I will not buy another one unless I know I will be able to do the simple repairs myself. 

I think I figured out why it wobbles around turns. There is a lot of play side to side on the drive wheels. Is this normal for a Berk?

I recently changed the traction tires on my Berk. It only has a few hours of run time but the one popped off and got mangle. So I tried to change it out with the replacements that came with the engine but they were way to fat to fit in the groove. I went to the LHS and bought some replacements but the same story so I trimmed them with a razor to make them fit. Now the engines wobbles on turns. I'm assuming that this has to do with the traction tires. Is this the case with all replacement TTs or am I doing something wrong? I have never had a problem with any W or WBB diesels but this is the 2nd steam engine that I have had problems. The first one is now dead and I am going to be taking that back to Bachmann to get fixed but I will have to pay $30 for this since it is now out of the 1 year warranty. I have a 3rd steamer that runs great, a turbine. I was thinking of getting rid of all my Lionels and just going with WBB but problems with 2 out of 3 steam engines makes me second guess that decision. Sorry to ramble, just a little frustrated.

I hope they DON'T change their scale. I have many IR o-27 cars and the WBB ones are much bigger. I use the IR cars for my Lionel Jrs. but the WBB ones look much better with my WBB locos. I don't have many yet but I think that will change over the next few years.

I have the Lehigh Valley Berk and have been running it with the 2400 silver Union Pacific passenger cars and it looks great but the UP Alco AA Units that go with the set are getting jealous. I would be happy with the Aluminum passenger cars as well but I would prefer some Madisons or even some purple 2400 passenger cars that match the LV color.

I'm with you Tiffany. If they come out with the matching passenger cars I would buy the SP Daylight set as well. Until then my favorite is the turbine. I have the green passenger cars and they look great together.

I am using the MRC Pure Power with pure sine wave and 270 Watts. I think you should be okay as long as you are using the sine wave and the 270 Watts should be plenty for running 2 sets of trains. Do you know of anyone having issues with these types of MRC transformers?
Also I picked up a set of UP grey Alcos. These Williams engines are getting addictive. You can't beat the price for the quality you get if you are running conventional.
Can't wait for Thanksgiving so I can set up the Christmas layout.

Check out the Hudson running hot post. Had the same issue with my new Pennsy Hudson. I would follow the recommendations by the people there, mostly making sure it is lubed properly. Good Luck with it.

It has been a while since I brought up this topic. I never got a chance to take this back to Bachmann and it is packed away until Black Friday. I will run it then and see how it goes. I am using the MRC Dual Pure Power with Sine Wave so I am 99% sure that is not the problem. I couldn't resist going ahead and buying the Berk though. I was going to wait to make sure this wasn't a problem with the WBB steamers in general but I was at the hobby store and saw the LV version. I did run this for over an hour before I packed everything away and no issues. I will check back after I run the Hudson and let you know if I am still having issues. I am just hoping that is was a lubrication and break in issue.

Hi Joe,

I have an ampmeter on my transformer and it is only using less than 2 amps. The funny thing is it does run great for about 15 minutes or so. I don't think this has anything to do with the track or track connections. It doesn't lose speed farther away from the transformer and my other Williams steamer runs great. I will take out the moter and see if the engine runs smoothly like you said. If that isn't the issue I am taking it back to the hobby shop this weekend.

CobraBob,

For 15 minutes this is my favorite engine too. I have mostly Lionel Jr engines but they just don't seem to have the look and heft of this engine. I am really hoping that the hobby shop figures this out. I have a few Williams diesels also and they all run great so I am thinking ths is just this engine. If they can figure this out I will probably get the WBB Berk and then just give away all the Lionels.

Thanks for all your help Joe, CobraBob, and Philly reading. I will check in next week and let you know how I made out.

I think the MRC has 0-21 Volts per handle and is rated at 270 Watts so I don't think that is the problem. But just to be sure I am going to try to take this back to the store this weekend and run it on their layout. They have both a new zw and and a z-4000 hooked up. Thanks for the suggestion. 

I have the Williams GG1 also. It is the best pulling engine I have. No matter what I put on the track the thing doesn't even slow down, not even on inclines.

Cobrabob did you also have the issue with the moter getting very hot. At first the engine runs fine but after 15-20 minutes it starts to slow down and then stops. I touch the motor and it is too hot to touch. Sorry to stay on this topic but I have about 10 ten Williams engines now and have never had an issue with any of them. I was thinking about getting the Berk but I want to make sure that this is just an issue with this particular engine and not the new Williams steamers in general.

I switched tenders from my turbine and the hudson to see if the issue was with the tender but the turbine ran fine with the Hudson tender and the Hudson still got hot with the turbine tender. I am going to just take it back to the store where I purchased it.

I am using a MRC Dual Power. I also tried it on a KW and a new CW-80. Same issue on all transformes.