I bought a Bachmann 01302 HO Spectrum Frontiersman Set w/DCCWM on closeout from a hobby shop for my son's birthday. It is our first foray into model trains. I watched the video, read the instructions and put everything together. We ran the engine for an hour or so in forward. Then ran it in reverse for a while without issue.

At some point, we started getting a clicking sound only when running it forward. In reverse there is no abnormal sounds. I took the engine apart and rolled the main bottom part to make sure the rods and wheels weren't the issue. There was no abnormal sound. I put it all back together and the sound was still there. It is intermittent mostly and it harder to hear when the train is running fast, but very prominent when running slowly.

I think it is an issue with gear box. I am not sure why but I think the coupling between the motor and the gear is better when running in reverse. I plan on taking it apart again tomorrow to see if there is some play there. Does this sound like a common problem? Is it something I should be able to fix or could it just be a manufacturing issue? Could it be something else?

Any advice would be appreciated. I don't want to run the train with sound as I think it will make things worse.

Finally, thank you in advance for any help you may provide.