No power to track

Call Bachmann and ask them.
I did,and found them to be extremely helpful.
Here are some other ideas, if you wish to try them.
Take a piece of paper, not cardboard, but a heavier than normal weight, and cut pieces of it into shapes that will fit under the wheels of the loco and tender, and will cover the tracks
If you put a paper under the loco, and none under the tender, perhaps it is OK there, or, if you put paper under the tender, and none under the loco, perhaps it is OK there.
Try to isolate where exactly the short is.
God bless your efforts.

I am assuming that the throttle is off when you put the train on the track. If off, then you are correct that there is an internal short in the engine. You might try disassembling the unit and looking for a pinched wire specifically from a roller(s) (center rail pickup). You might also check for a short between a pickup roller and a wheel with a VOM. Make sure the wheel is not the one with the neoprene belt.

Before disassembling check the brushes (metal contacts) are making good contact with the loco wheels and are not blocked with fluff etc. Ensure the loco wheels are clean and shiny so that they pick up the track voltage ok. The brushes are made of sprung metal and transfer the voltage from the wheels via the track to the motor. Check that as well as clean and fluff free that they also have a strong springiness against the wheels for good electrical contact. If these appear ok then remove the loco bodywork and check the motor. You can apply a 12v supply directly to the motor contacts to test if it's running ok. If it does run ok then suspect the brushes and associated connections. If it does not run try moving the motor armature manually. If it is stuck it is probably time to replace it. If it moves apply a light machine oil and test again.

Have you let the loco charge first? The instructions are a bit vague but the loco needs to charge before it runs. Not easily understood from the instructions and many have spent some frustrating minutes wondering why their train wouldn't move.

sounds like it's too lightweight! try running with a big blob of plasticine on top, to see of it runs right. if it then works ok you need to fill the internal spaces with lead (ask your local tyre shop for the weights they take off wheels when changing tyres)

Recent Lionel transformers are notorious for their issues. Put an old fashioned reverse switch into the circuit, an old Lionel 88 will do the wire to terminal 1 of the lockon or the wire tothe center rail needs to be cut and attached to the 2 terminals of the 88 reverse switch. Note this is ancient technology from the 30s to 50s

Check some of the other solutins I have posted regarding this issue, but you can check to make sure your track is getting power by using a volt meter set to DC. You should measure 10.5VDC between the tracks.

When you set the Treetop tender on the tracks and turn on the power, the tender car should light up if you have power. When you add the loco and plug in the large black cord from the Tender to the Loco, the train should light up as well. If you are getting power you should then be able to press the forward button and the train should start.

Make sure the clips on the track control box are making contact with the rails on both sides. If your getting power to the track and the tender lights up, you should be good to roll.

I assume you have the Treetop Tender car on the track? The treetop tender is car that makes the electrical connection between the track and the train.

1. Use a volt meter across the track. You should have about 10.5VDC on the track (anywhere on the track)
2. Even without the Loco on the track, the Treetop Tender should light up if you have power to the track. If you have power and the tender does not light. Check the brushes located between the wheels on the tender. These are the motor brushes that pick up the current from the track for the train set. Make sure they are contacting the track.
3. Add the loco to the track and plug in the large black plug from the tender to the loco. Turn on the power and press forward. The train should start rolling.

Try all the functions, bells, ho ho ho, all aboard etc ..

Add one car at a time and make sure that each one lights up before moving on to the next.

The tender car supplies power from the track to the entire trian.
Make sure the train will run with just the Loco and the tender. Make sure the tender is securely plugged in to the Loco and make sure the the brushes under the wheels on the tender (this is how power gets from the track to the train) are in contact with the track. Finally use a scotch brite pad (DO NOT USE STEEL WOOL) to clean up the track a little.

You can also take a volt meter and measure for DC between the rails. You should have about 10.5VDC on the track. (Inside rail is neg on mine and outside is pos) ...

Hope this helps..

Bob

Had the same problem. The loco would buzz, but no movement. Took the loco & controller to my local hobby shop for testing. Found out my loco was fine, but the controller had shorted out. Swapped it out & it's all good.