All good advice. Thanks. I have begun the process of breaking it in. Seems like it is starting to run better after running, slight lubrication, running and cleaning the wheels; over and over. Breaking it in seems to be the answer.

Thanks

The Bachmann switcher in question was brand new when I purchased it and has not performed as well as two Bachmann locos that I bought used off Ebay both with Bachmann factory decoders or my used switcher (possibly an Atlas) with a Digitrax decoder that runs fantastic from a sloooooow crawl to its top speed with never a stutter or pause like I have with my brand new, out of the box, purchased from a local hobby shop Bachmann GE 70 ton gray in color switcher that usually needs a push to get started in either forward or reverse. If I slow it down to a crawl it will run, then stop and not run again unless I give it a push.

If my track was dirty, poor electrical pick up etc; wouldnt my other locos see the same problem and also behave in the same way?

I am beginning to think I might need to send it to the service dept unless there are some cv-s that can be tweeked. Any thoughts?

Its the Bachmann DCC-Equipped GE 70 Ton Diesel Locomotive
Southern Pacific™ #5101

***additional information***

I have another dcc switcher that I bought used at a train show ($25.00) non Bachmann that came with a digitrax decoder installed and it runs great. It will creep and never stutter or stall as compared with my new Bachman SP switcher which needs a shove to get started most of the time. I am using the newest Digitrax Zephr (sp?) power controller to run my 4x8 ho layout.

OK being new to dcc I need some help here. I bought a new Bachmann switcher which when used on my track stutters and stalls, slow to start as compared with my other dcc locos. What can I do to change the performance of my switcher; cv-s and such or did I get a bad one off the line?

Thanks for the input