Good Morning!
Well, I had an accident yesterday and thought I would pass it along as it just might save you from a similar "tradgedy".
I have a "new in the box" Spectrum ATSF GE 44 ton switcher that I've had for a number of years, but just forgot I had it. I put it on the test track and it growled, so I took it apart and "lubed and tuned" it, and then broke it in on the track rollers (Aristocraft). This little loco has two small motors, and really is kind of neat. Anyway, while it was breaking in I switched out the NMRA couplers, and noticed that one of the two "headlamps" was burnt out.
Well, I had some spare grain of wheat bulbs and soon had the replacement soldered in. This is a fairly intricate job and came out nice so I was pretty happy with myself.
Soooo, I put the body shell back on the loco and picked it up (by the shell) to admire my handicraft and ohmygosh, the chassis assembly slipped right out of the shell and hit the carpeted floor!!!! In my haste, I had not secured the chassis to the body, and now I paid for my mistake......
At first it didn't look to bad, for only a couple of truck feeder wires were knocked off, but then I realized a truck side frame was broken off as well. I attempted to glue it on, but delrin plastic just doesn't glue very well. And in looking at the parts diagram, it was obvious that the part that really broked was the main truck/gear box, as the pins holding the side frame are a part of the main "box". Looks like a call to the Bachmann parts people is in order!
Well, I am sure I'll get this thing fixed and all will be well, and while I am "mad" at myself, I am really thankful that is was this loco rather than one of my BLI steamers or Kato diesels.
ENJOY,
Mobilman44