Trackmaster 2014 redesign bad running on older track (The cure)

[Ucwepn]

OK So here I will tell you how to make these new engines run on the blue track, although not an ideal solution it does work, hopefully mattel will address the problem themselves in future releases but it does seem for now at least that they have done this on purpose.



Firstly lets have a look at the new layout of the drive unit and it is simplicity at its finest. The slipper gear is on the axle which is driven straight from a worm gear on the motor shaft, no soldering is necessary for a motor swap.





Ok so the main problem with this train not being able to run on the blue track lies on the bottom of the loco, there is an activation or locking tab that is just below the rear axle and on this new model it hangs down far too low! This causes the loco to become stuck on track joins, points/switches, and stop n go track pieces. So how do we fix this problem?

1) remove the body shell and batteries.
2) flip the loco over and remove the 3x triangle screws while holding the top of the loco in place with your hand.
3) lift off the top section of the loco the whole switch assemble will come with it (Try not to let the switch assembly fall apart), lay the removed section on its side.
4) lift out the motor, then remove the traction rods from the drive wheels (they pop out)
5) flip the loco over again as we want to file some of the plastic off the activation tab, 3-4mm will need to be removed, don't remove too much as it will weaken the chassis and cause problems later, try to file it as smooth as is possible. Once you have removed enough of the activation tab re-assemble the loco, be careful putting the top section back on as the switch assembly can fall out of the top section. There are also axle holding tabs on the top section that need to go over the axle.

[Super]

How is he doing on an incline on the old tracks. Maybe he was bottoming out in that earlier video.

fingers crossed its an early design flaw that will be corrected on future castings.

Great job sunhuntin!

thanks, but i think you got the names muddled. T-R-Y. hehe.

[Ucwepn]

How is he doing on an incline on the old tracks. Maybe he was bottoming out in that earlier video.

Hey Super, yes he can climb inclines on his own now on the blue track although he cannot pull annie and clarabel up the hill.

Thank you Ucwepn. I think I'll do that myself. Also I think the engines can run on Flexi tracks. I don't have any but I think its possible to run them on the Flexi Rails and Tracks.

[Ucwepn]

Trackmaster or more so Mattel/Fisher price has a monopoly on the big 3 types of Thomas toys in the western market (wooden, Take n Play and Trackmaster), they tried to revamp the Trackmaster range so it would require new track in 3 ways.

1) Longer wheelbase (wont work on any previous Trackmaster roller accessories/sets/destinations).
2) Hard Nylon? Traction tires that only fit grooves in the new track and provide a slippery eel's amount of grip on the current track systems.
3) Low hanging activation/locking tab. The locomotives bottom out all over the place.

Now 1 thing changed I could understand and class as a mistake or accident but 3 things changed?

This is a systematic three pronged attack on the loyal fans and consumers and I think it is disgraceful.

I reviewed a set and I got overwhelming support in the comments of my regretfully negative review, consumers are smarter than you think Mattel.