I just Googled this loco. It is a diesel. Initially thought it was a steamer when you said lift the front drivers. You meant lift front truck. Big help if you properly identify the type of loco.
Get you ohm meter out and do some troubleshooting. It is not very complicated. Only a left driver wire and right driver wire for pickups.
Below is a link to the Bachmann diagrams. I think it is the F9. No idea how old your is.
http://www.hoseeker.net/bachmann.html
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
I'm going to guess whoever 'serviced' it connected the wires incorrectly such that the left pickup fromt eh front truck conencts to the same motor terminal as th right pickup from the rear truck and vice-versa. That would cause it to behave exactly as you described. Dead short when all wheels are on the rails, but work when one truck is lifted off.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I'll have to test the continuity on the tracks, bother engine which is a newer Shaft driven engine works fine on both track layouts.
That makes sense I cut the wires going to the front axle and it works but it works bat at maximum power where it seems needs all the voltage to keep it moving around the track at lower speeds it has a dead spot two places it my other engine works fine on it. I have another diesel 307 f9 same exact one and it does the same thing, that's how I wound up buying another so I cut the wires as well on that one and it does work now, I have never had anything done to that train I have had that one since the early mid 90s. I'll try crossing the wires the other way and see what it does. I also thought of adding a jumper w of sorts to get more power around the track. A few things I have read state that the older pancake engine Bachman trains run se and have eletrical current issues as in stopping and going along track.
This is the engine I am talking about
This train works no problems on both the tracks.
You need a photo bucket account or flicker account to post photos.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/249194.aspx
I have seen many post about bachmann with pancake motor. The motor and pickups are rather lousy and intermittent.
I have a few with those motors. The motors are only three pole.
Plus by cutting the wires to the front truck you now only have 4 wheel pickup so it won't take much dirt to stop it. If you take the shell off the wiring should be obvious, it's going to be super simple, wires from the trucks to the motor. Reconnect them the proper way and you'll at lkeast have 8 wheel pickup over a larger span which should help a lot with it stalling. But it is a rather low end loco, so unless you have some sentimental attachment to it, there are MUCH better options to replace it that would run a lot better. Even Bachmann has better quality versions - this one is a train set loco, pretty much bottom of the barrel. Bachmann's Spectrum locos are much higher quality.
Ok thanks Ill give that a try.
Ill have to make a photo bucket account for pictures then. If anything the train engine looks speeding around the outside track at full speed around the slower one on the inside at has all the cars attached.
A picture is worth a thousand words I learned in grammar class back in 1956. Too much confusion without pictures at times. The discussion goes on and on with no solution for days as I have seen in many forum discussions.
On the right side of PB page, I click on the picture I want, click on the IMG link and I see "copied". Then I paste the link into the message. Very easy with two browsers opened.
Using a meter. You said you would do continuity so maybe this might help also. No idea your experience for using a meter.
http://www.trainelectronics.com/Meter_Workshop/index.htm
Here is a link to the Bachmann forums. There are loco diagrams, parts and repair page, CV list if you ever get into DCC, forums for different scales, many users of Bachmann prodcuts, company reps, etc.
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php
The below link will have diagrams for older Bachmann and newer Bachmann locos. This guy puts up scans that people send him. There are links for diagrams from many other brands of trains.
Store the links as they will prove useful in the future and you can send them to anyone who needs help. If you have not done it yet, make folders for different subjects in your browser.
When I get time I have to add pictures through photobucket. I do everything through Facebook and most forums are not compatible for sharing photos that way and I don't keep much stored on a computer to upload that way. Everything is done by cell phone. Anyway I haven't tested the continuity but I'm sure it a matter of crossing the wires, I have worked on many things just not trains, wanted to get a few ideas to try out. One of the reason I purchased particular engine is it can make extreme sharp corners on.the set up I have.
This may give me a reason to start using the lap top again.
As well as I think the mobile version of this forum does not work as well as desk top view probably would?
It can be done with iPhone or iPad but I prefer laptop. Have never tried with smartphones or tablets, tho I have the devices.
At 75, I am content with the laptop for posting to the forums.
I am sure there are App's that will help. Picture taking with those devices will work. PB might have an App.
Just letting everyone who posted to my reply that I have the train engine working now. It was the matter of crossing the wires to stop it from grounding out. Works great with no dead spots. Thanks