The Lafayette and Dewitt Clinton

[Anonymous]

I just received two Bachmann train sets, "The Lafayette" and the "Dewitt Clinton". I am happy with the Dewitt Clinton as it has more pulling power than The Lafayette. The Lafayette spins its wheels after the 3rd car is put on. It runs fine with only 2 cars.

Does anyone have any comments on these two engines? Anyone else have any good or bad experiences with these sets?

Thanks

[Anonymous]

I also received the Dewitt Clinton set by Bachman as a gift for Christmas. My main intrest is modern times so the train will be placed on display in my railroad room sometime later.

There are two possible solutions to your problem. It sounds to me that the engine is not stalling but rather not able to get enough traction to pull the other cars. I recommend that you add weight (just a little at a time) to the engine. This will give it more traction against the rail and allow you to pull more load. The other solution is to provide trucks with less friction on the cars. I believe this could be a challenge due to the light weight nature of the early passenger cars. Finding wheel sets to replace the wheels furnished may be a tall order. Alternatively, you could look at the wheels and add graphite or find another way to make them more free rolling. If the engine stalls, then you have another problem and I don't think I can help.

God Luck - Ed

[Anonymous]

Hello Nick, I got these two sets also .. Havn't had ant problems with mine.. except, the DWittClinton has very tight couplings on the little passnger cars.. Your problem on the Lafayette sounds as though it could be wheelsets are tight.. adjust carfully and apply some graphite... should help.
On the subject of train sets.. Would you have any knowledge of a set of the "John Bull" or the "Tom Thumb" ? ?
KIT :) Robert