Also make sure the engine and tender are sitting properly. Spectrum engines include the "apron" that connects the back of the engine cab and the tender. When putting an engine on the track, I usually fold the apron up, connect the engine and tender, get all the wheels on the track, then reach in with a pencil or small screwdriver and lower the apron. If you just put the engine on the track, the apron can get below the lip on the tender deck instead of sitting on top of it. This can cause the front of the tender to ride up and not be making good contract with the track.
I used the 1/4 oz weights that have the tape already on them, just peel and stick. You want to center the weight inside the tender.
Somtimes the electronics in them wont let you stick them to the floor. So you can stick them to the sides of the tender shell, just make sure you put the same amount on each side so that it dont lean.
Truck.
Put a little weight above both trucks, you will see the improvement, jim.
Where in the tender?
He added weight inside the tender.
Truck, where did you add the weight: to the top of the underside of the tender? or where?
Bachmann tenders are light, first make sure the wires and draw bar are not holding up the front of the tender. The best thing to do is add weight to the tender. There is plenty of room inside,
This also keeps the tender from derailing when running in reverse. About 1/4 to 1/2 oz of weight will make a big difference.
I have two of the 2-10-2's and added weight to both tenders, My were derailing the front trucks when running in reverse even with 36" radiuos curves, after adding weights there is no more problems.
I seem to have problems with forward truck power pickup on the tender on my Spectrum locomotives. I have checked electrical connections inside the tender and nothing seems to have changed from when I purchased the loco when all pickups worked. Anyone else had this problem and how do you fix it without returning the loco to Bachmann?