Joe I agree with you! Adding a speed regulation board to this engine would benefit it greatly! TMCC without Odyssey runs just as bad as transformer control. I agree its kind of amazing they offered a control system without an integrated speed controller. It seems that feature is critical to its operation!
I ran no tender because it's an extra 7 axles which could be complicating my problems. This engine only has audio boards in the tender so it isn't necessary for operation.
After further investigation of the axles I found the brass axle bushings have a shoulder which is acting as a spacer between the frame and the wheel. It's so hard to imagine an extra shim would change its behavior.
So I'm going to take your advice and order an ERR cruise M tonight. It seems the next logical step is to slap a speed controller in there and see what happens!
