Thanks for the info.  I've contacted Bachmann, since it's still under warranty, and they've asked me to send it to them for service.  I think it may, in fact, be the plugs; they are VERY loose, and the main plug keeps popping loose each time I handle the loco.  Even when I make sure the plug is what I think is tight, the problem still occurs, however.  I'm thinking it may just be a faulty set of connectors.  In any event, thanks again.  I'll let you all know what Bachmann finds out.

Ken

I have one of the above locos, brand new, and am having problems.  During operations, the wheels will suddenly stop, but the sound decoder will keep generating the proper sounds.  This will happen on even straight and level, very clean, properly wired track.  I have tried applying lube oil, have moved the engine back and forth by hand (sometimes that will get the wheels going again, but only briefly), have applied extra weight by slightly pushing down on the engine while operating (sometimes that seems to help, but that may be an illusion), and the problem keeps recurring.  Has anyone else had a similar problem with this particular loco.  I have the undecorated version (not that this should make any difference whatsoever).  Thanks in advance for any suggestions of info.

Ken C

Thanks for all the input.  Electrons may indeed be color blind, but NMRA-standard decoders are not.  I'm having to hardwire in a decoder because the circuit board for the 4-6-0 came with 4 (count 'em) capacitors which messed up the Lenz decoder I tried to plug in to the DCC ready jack (I understand from Tony's Train Exchange that I'm not alone when it comes to this problem).  Now that I have a denuded circuit board and a dead Lenz decoder, I figured it was best to bypass the circuit board altogether in favor of a new decoder.

I am new to the board.  I have a question about the wiring colors Bachmann uses for its locos.  I don't know if this has been addressed before, and I apologize if it has.  In any event, the wiring colors don't appear to be NMRA standard.  For example, I have an HO Ten-Wheeler and the wires leading to the tender light are orange and yellow; they should be yellow and blue.  The rail pickup wires should be red and black.  In the tender, they are red and brown.  I'm trying to isolate the wires that run to the motor, which should be orange and gray, but as I said, the orange wire is already being used for the rear lamp.  Consequently, I'm finding it difficult to figure out which wires go with which functions once they head off to the loco itself.  Any answers to this puzzle would be greatly appreciated.

Ken Currie