I recently purchased TWO Lionel Legacy SW-1 Switchers- a Burlington Northern 2233390 SW-1 #97 and a Lionel Legacy SW-1 Conrail 2233400 8408. No problem with the Burlington. BUT, after 2 or 3 days, the Conrail now has its front wheels spinning and the engine not being able to go through an 036 curve with only 1 or 2 cars on it. Track voltage is 18 volts.
BUT, it CAN by going in REVERSE. This behavior did NOT occur right out of the box. I DID replace the tires, and even checked to see if the rear truck's universal joint was engaged. There appeared to be plenty of grease in the gear box also. Everything appears to be normal, but no matter what 036 curve I try to go through, the engine just starts spinning its front wheels and the rear wheels hardly move if anything. I'm thinking of sending it right back for warranty replacement since it is less than a week old unless there's something simple that I'm missing.
PS- I KNOW enough to realize this switcher both in reality and as a model was NOT designed to pull a long consist, and I have only been pulling 4 or 5 cars at most. The heaviest car would be the DairyMen's League Operating Milk car. I also made sure all the rolling stock wheels were well oiled, and not binding. I am really stumped on this because- again- the Burlington Northern Legacy SW-1 is IDENTICAL to this, (except for the body) and works just fine.
