I just bought a new Riv Berk 5400 series engine. I'm very happy with the detail even though most of it is molded. It is a smooth runner but my first gripe is with the shimmy--wobble--sway--call it what you like. I googled the symptoms and someone said the traction tires cause this. I popped the tires off and ran it again. No difference. So it's some mechanical problem.
Has anyone managed to cure this? The loco runs fine otherwise.
The dealer also said this was a light engine so the tires were needed. But it weighed in 1 pound and is well-balanced. There's plenty of room for extra weight in the super-easy-to-remove boiler, but it doesn't seem worth it. The tires are not noticable and feel capable of pulling me across the room.
This item original sold for about $160+ US and with the vastly improved drivetrain, etc. you'd think they'd provide a body-mounted prototype coupler on the tender. The talgo-hornhook was a nuisance and a joke. It's gone--I mounted a kaydee box and amputated the talgo.
And they could have provided a constant bright headlight for the price too instead of the oldtime incan bulb that doesn't light until the loco's up to half speed. Good thing I love to modify.
But this beauty only cost me $50 new at Trainland. That's about what it's worth, IMO.
I'd appreciate responses about the shimmy problem. Thanks ,guys.
Robby