4-6-0 Locomotive slipping

[eric5121]

Just got our Wonderland Flyer set running - 4-6-0 locomotive is slipping now. Wheels are not slipping, it seems to be internal. It will move forward and back, but I can hear the motor running faster than the drive wheels. Is there some maintenance I can do?

[Chuck N]

In all likely hood you have a broken gear on the drive axle.  The easiest and cheapest solution is to buy a new chassis from Bachmann. 

Chuck

[eric5121]

Thanks. Is this the case even if the train still moves?

[eric5121]

Took the bottom cover off and gears are fine. This is a 5th gen engine. The large gear is slipping on the drive axle. Need to secure it somehow.

[Chuck N]

Is the gear plastic or metal?  There have been problems with the plastic gears cracking and slipping.   

Bachmann sells replacement motor block assemblies for $30 or $50, depending on which one you need. It is easier to install the entire system than try to swap out the gear.

Chuck

[Joe Zullo]

Took the bottom cover off and gears are fine. This is a 5th gen engine. The large gear is slipping on the drive axle. Need to secure it somehow.

For a temporary fix, try super gluing it to the axle.

[Loco Bill Canelos]

You may also want to try using two part epoxy glue or putty. that has worked better for me than superglue.  I much prefer the putty.  Becareful to maintain all necessary clearances so a glob of glue does not get in the way.

[Kevin Strong]

There's a healthy "hub" on the drive axle on the version 5 4-6-0, so if you want a permanent solution, you can drill across the hub through the axle and pin the gear in place. I'm working on a project that's using the 4-6-0 gearbox with new axles, and that's how I'm planning on keeping everything in place.

Later,

K

[eric5121]

There's a healthy "hub" on the drive axle on the version 5 4-6-0, so if you want a permanent solution, you can drill across the hub through the axle and pin the gear in place. I'm working on a project that's using the 4-6-0 gearbox with new axles, and that's how I'm planning on keeping everything in place.

Later,

K

Yup - that's where I'm headed. I can see that the axle is splined, and the white gear is probably fluted to fit the splines, but its just too weak. Getting a small bit out to drill a hole through both and put a pin in place. Hopefully the pin won't dig into the plastic part of the gear - or actually the plastic shaft attached to the drive gear.

Hopefully I can grab some pics when I drill and pin it.