Lionel Milwaukee Mikado 6-81038 showed up today - Friday. Ordered it Thursday from Discount Trains of Ft. Lauderdale; Rick B. knows how to pack a locomotive for shipment and then gets it onto a truck quickly - see photos below. Conducted our business via emails - he responded quickly. First rate packing and customer service!
Had some quirks at startup; loco and tender would shut down after a few feet. Now what. Took a swipe at the track with my fingers - came up black - Duh!! Cleaned track and roller pickups and now no further issues. Checked the brake shoes per D500's experience - clearances are tight but no contact to wheels. No renegade parts; no blemishes; everything works. Lubed it. Been running in quiet mode for 2 hours. Have a good runner - Happy Camper!
