Kept on getting outbid so finally got a Marklin 8856 for a good price!! Not without it's headaches though. Typical issue of HOS so had to dismantle, clean and re-oil all the gears. A couple of wires desoldered along the way so had to deal with that. Also lost one of the tiny washers in between the body and circuit board (not needed so ok!) But after 1.5 hours of work was finally able to get it running w/o any issues. (Wanted to also swap it out with a 5-pole motor but the motor is too expensive. Will save that job for a rainy day.) Everything that people have said is true: Interesting and refreshing to work on Strong puller and goes up inclines Able to handle tight radii (145mm just fine) due to articulated body Looks good especially with the 4 wheel coupling rods. Looks like it's really hauling butt down the track. With it's baby brother: Video, handles the tight radii of a briefcase layout very easily.
Great job on the reassemble! Its a daunting task to do it but what you learn is priceless. I always thought that was a good looking locomotive.
Wow! That looks like pure fun. I became so absorbed in prototype accuracy that some of the raw fun was lost along the way. I’m going to turn over a new leaf and get back to having fun.
