Semi-newbie here,

Just received my o-gauge J Class 4-8-4 (Item Number: 40306) today and wanted to test her out to make sure everything was in order. I hooked up a Lionel CW-80 transformer to a section of FastTrack but to my surprise the train would only move in a forward direction. I've tried everything I can think of, I've pressed the direction button for varying lengths of time etc. As long as the locomotive is on the track alone, it will only move forward.

The kicker is, as soon as I place my other Williams/Bachmann locomotive on the same rail, it will cycle to reverse normally.

I don't think this is supposed to be normal behavior and I am slightly confused to say the least- sorry if this is a common problem / I'm an idiot, but help please?

Also, is the headlamp supposed to be as dim as it is [read: pretty dim]... the one on my 773 Hudson? is bright as can be?

Thanks in advance-