TO JD and others.

Many thanks for your help and links.

I picked up Nylon Washers from Home Depot. They were thick so I sanded them down and had to enlarge the hole to fit over the axle. The new washer significantly reduced the wheel slop.

The Locomotive and cars have now been running for two hours without any issues.

I need some more help on this.

I got the side rods off. However, the screw holding the wheel on is tight. There appears to be slop in the fit of the wheel to the axle.

Thanks JD, I appreciate the guidance.

I have this locomotive for several years and had it upgraded by Bachmann a couple of years ago to the version 5 frame.

Recently I have had a problem with the engine staying on the rails. I thought it might be heating and cooling of the rails affecting spacing.

I now find the front drive wheels (with the flange) are 'wobbling' on the shaft. The left side (looking from the Engineers view) being worse than the right side. The 'wobble' is so bad I think it may allow the wheel to drop between the rails.

It this 'wobble' normal and have I just not noticed it before or do I need to send it back for another rebuild?