I recently received my BTO Milw E7AA engines. Front engine is powered, rear engines is non-powered. They look great. HOWEVER, they have very limited traction. The AA engines can only pull four aluminum cars around a 72 inch curve, unless I am highballing. The AA engines can only pull two cars up a 3% grade, unless I am highballing. I set the powered engine on a level O scale straight test track. (very level). I observed that the first wheel set (non drive) and the third wheel set (drive) are in contact with the track. The middle wheel set (drive set) does not touch the track. I can easily slip a business card between the center wheels and the track. My dual motor engine may have four drive axels, but the wheels on only two drive axels are making contact with the track (fortunately, the wheel sets in contact have the traction tires). Could this be the reason for the limited traction and pulling power??? Is there a break in period for the traction tires? Should I add more weight to the powered A unit?
If I can only pull the Lionel set of four passenger cars, there is no point in my purchasing the additional two car set.
Any ideas? Thanks,
