[East Broad Top]

There's an advantage to spending $350 on an $85 locomotive, though... you'll have a $435 locomotive that your grand kids can run for their grand kids. I don't know too many other ways to get that kind of reliability for that kind of price. Think of it as $85 worth of detail parts around a really good chassis.

Seriously, though, if you're looking for a cheap solution, you can order a new motor for $25, and a gearbox for $20. (This assumes you've got the 5th-generation drive.)

Was there any obstruction that you could see that would have stalled out the loco? You mention blowing off leaves and acorns. I know the acorns can do pretty nasty things to trains if left to their own devices. They're a constant menace on my dad's railroad, as are the squirrels who drop them with "smart bomb" accuracy.

Later,

K

 

[East Broad Top]

If I was to spend $350ish, would it make more sense to buy an LGB loco?
Depends. Does LGB make a locomotive you find appealing and that fits the theme of your railroad? If so, then it's an option. If not, then spend the money instead on something you would enjoy seeing run.

Later,

K

 

[East Broad Top]

Good to hear!

Later,

K