Thx for great advice. flipping wheels got things running. Noticed one connector wire broken, but still operating. BLI sending new connector.
Hi,
according to tender exploded diagram, decoder is in tender, as it usually is with BLI locomotives (loco diagram here).
So, tender must be connected to locomotive. You should check if connector wires and connector is intact, because if just one wire/pin is broken/bent/missing, locomotive will not work.
If it fell from a table on hard floor, many things could get damaged inside (motor torn out of its seating etc.), or outside. For example locomotive wheels/axles could be bent (if even slightly, locomotive cannot run correctly). Locomotive is heavier than tender, so impact on the floor can cause more damage to locomotive than to tender, but sensible electronics in tender also could be damaged on the impact.
So first check wheels as noted above, then wires between locomotive/tender and try if locomotive can run. If not - I think the most reasonable action is either to send it to BLI for check/repair or if you can find some expert help in you area. This is very fragile and sensitive mechanical/electronical product, so it has to be checked by an expert/experienced modeller if it does not give any sign of life.
Hrvoje
Welcome aboard
I agree with the axle in backwards hypothesis.
By the way, you're new here and there's a bit of a probationary period (measured in post count, I believe) which protects the forum from post trolls. So, you won't see new posts you make for a while. It's a small number.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Thank you all. Success!
Thanks so much both of you for the quick resonse. I will try that today.
Welcome to the forums, Jackphyllis! We're always interested in other modelers' layouts, so please keep us informed of how you solve your problem.
York1 John
Steven is probably bang on. It would not be a good idea to separate the engine from the tender. Some of the electronics are in the tender I believe. Another way of seeing which wheel on a wheelset picks up power is to use an ohmmeter to see which wheel is electrically insulated from the axle.
Simon
It sounds to me as if the locomotive is designed to pick up power from the tender wheels as well as the drivers, and you put at least one of the tender wheelsets back in backwards. Depending on how power is supposed to get from the wheels to the decoder, this could cause a short circuit. Look at the tender wheelsets and see if one side of them looks different from the other (particularly look for a ring of insulating plastic around the axle on the inside of one wheel). Be sure all those wheelsets are mounted so that all of them face the same way. Compare to a tender wheelset that didn't fall out, if there was one. If they still don't work, try reversing them all. Good luck.
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
I am new to the hobbie. I have a problem with a loco just purchased.
Unfortunately it got knocked off the table. Lost a number of detail parts. Two sets of tender wheels got knocked out which I was able to snap back in. I cannot get the loco to run now. It tries to operate with the tenders wheels not fully on track but as soon as they are on, the loco stops. Any advice? Also can the loco operate without the tender? Can I just pull out the wire plug in between the two? Any advice great appreciated!