I am looking at my first engine on ebay. Seller says it is brand new, in box and never used but then goes on to say that there is a clicking noise in the linkage and it would not run at speeds below speed setting 8. Since I do not know a thing about DCC yet, I was hoping for some insight.
if there are doubts , i would pass up the deal . the way you put it that its posted ( its not new in the box ) . mike
NEW-NEVER USED?? How would he know that there was a clicking noise- and would not run below speed step 8. PASS on this one.
Thanks. I was thinking the same thing. He said he noticed the issues "during testing" but just testing would make it used and not "new in box" in my opinion. My only thought was if I could get it for a good price, issues may be minor fixes. I appreciate your inputs, guys.
If you're a couple decades into this hobby, with losta repair/repowering under your belt; with a bench stocked with enough parts to build several locomotives.. you're largely shoping for shells/frames, that also have some parts in them.. LOL .. A clicky-sticky locomotive is OK, if it's a model/livery you want.. because you'll tune and tweak it anyway.. Like, I just paid near new retail (LHS), for a used, Athearn RTR GP35 in C&O paint.. it wouldn't start moving until DCC Sv=55, and was "jerky" past that.. but it was a C&O GP35 !! But yeah.. for your first few locomotives, be careful on eBay .. many of those sellers have customers/clients that buy the really good-stuff up, before it sees eBay.
I assume the clicking is a broken gear in the gear tower. It is sufficiently bad that more juice must go to the motor before it can uncog and run, meaning the motor will push it quickly to the higher speed setting once it overcomes the gear resistance. If the engine is otherwise in good condition, a simple gear swapout will have you up and running in no time at all. If you are squeamish about that, you need a willing experienced friend or to just turn your back on the whole idea.
