First a bit of interesting facts about this C-11 release, at least to me...
The whole engine is the C-12 mold so they had to have saved some money because they didn't have to create a new mold for a new release. The front, deflectors, smokebox door, smoke stack & drumhead all come apart with 3 screws. I was disappoint like Off The Rail mentions above about the sold configuration of the dual headlights but this might be better if someone wants to wire in some real lights. I was also disappointed in the finish as it looked to be rubbed but maybe this was intentional to knock down any sheen on the black finish, on the other hand the C-11-207 emblems are painted on unlike the stickers used on the sister engine C-12.
Now for the problem I had with this engine. A problem I had not ever come across with all the repairs I have completed on Plarails and Trackmaster trains. It took me 2 days and a complete rebuild & greasing of the motor and I still could not figure it out. You see right out of the box the motor made a 'clunking' sound and I though this was simply a gear somewhere that was cracked or had a defective tooth. After another day of studying this, going over it again and again, it turns out to be in the side rods. Both rods are in the exact same position on each side which is unusual as most of the time they aren't. So they moved in unison and the 'clunk' would happen every time the rods were in there most rearward position. My conclusion and the solution was that the axle slots in the front of the rods was a bit short on the inside so every time the rod would move to the rear and because each side was in exact unison they would slap the axle and minutely create a tension on the motor cause it to make a 'clunk' sound. Taking a fine mini rat tail file to the front of the rod slot fixed it....I know...weird isn't it? I assume this may just be an anomaly with mine as I assume that Off The Rails engine was fine upon his opening.
My thoughts on the Conductors Car and Coach will come soon as this Post is very long and I don't want to take up more of your time.
The whole engine is the C-12 mold so they had to have saved some money because they didn't have to create a new mold for a new release. The front, deflectors, smokebox door, smoke stack & drumhead all come apart with 3 screws. I was disappoint like Off The Rail mentions above about the sold configuration of the dual headlights but this might be better if someone wants to wire in some real lights. I was also disappointed in the finish as it looked to be rubbed but maybe this was intentional to knock down any sheen on the black finish, on the other hand the C-11-207 emblems are painted on unlike the stickers used on the sister engine C-12.
Now for the problem I had with this engine. A problem I had not ever come across with all the repairs I have completed on Plarails and Trackmaster trains. It took me 2 days and a complete rebuild & greasing of the motor and I still could not figure it out. You see right out of the box the motor made a 'clunking' sound and I though this was simply a gear somewhere that was cracked or had a defective tooth. After another day of studying this, going over it again and again, it turns out to be in the side rods. Both rods are in the exact same position on each side which is unusual as most of the time they aren't. So they moved in unison and the 'clunk' would happen every time the rods were in there most rearward position. My conclusion and the solution was that the axle slots in the front of the rods was a bit short on the inside so every time the rod would move to the rear and because each side was in exact unison they would slap the axle and minutely create a tension on the motor cause it to make a 'clunk' sound. Taking a fine mini rat tail file to the front of the rod slot fixed it....I know...weird isn't it? I assume this may just be an anomaly with mine as I assume that Off The Rails engine was fine upon his opening.
My thoughts on the Conductors Car and Coach will come soon as this Post is very long and I don't want to take up more of your time.
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