@The Other Guy posted:If I gave it it's own thread, I'd title this post A Bad Idea Executed Adequately Or, Don't Ever Buy Used Trains from The Other Guy:
On Tuesday, I started up the Blue Comet and, after moving six inches across a switch, it shudders to a stop. Power to the track was fine; no derailment; no smoke. So, I power down and back up and the loco revs up. I cycle it into forward motion and, again, six inches and then ... bupkis. This time, a proper short.
So, I take the engine off the track, expecting to workbench it, when I hear a little tinkle on the track. I look down and, what do I see? The loco's front roller, snapped clean off the pickup. Oh ****.
Off to the workbench ... First, to see if the second roller still draws power to the motor and, indeed, the train's internals are OK. The dilemma: do I continue to run on the remaining roller or, do I order a complete motor replacement (since pickups are riveted on Tinplate Traditions trains) or, do I do something much more reckless and ... Frankensteinian?
....
You can guess what I did:
But great news: works beautifully! Ran this puppy for almost 2 hours straight yesterday and nary a blip!
- The Other Guy
FILE: DEPARTMENT OF DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME, KIDS
How does it look when the engine is on the track? 
If it's durable, then it's perfect. As Red Green would say, "it's only temporary... unless it works".
