We bought this set nib, never run. Sounds work, but engine won't move at all. Can anyone help us? We bought one just like it that had been used and same problem, sending back, but this one should work as it's never been opened. Using a new battery too, so that's not the problem. Down to the wire now for grandchild.
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We're going to need some more information.
Is this engine PS1, PS2 or strictly conventional?
What type of transformer are you using?
It is Ps2. Using Z4000. Don't feel it's electrical. Put in new rechargeable 9v BioniCare battery. Drive wheels appear to have proper slack, front 3 appear completely locked. Side rods have little slack. Tried to rotate the wheels with flywheel and it won't make a complete revolution. Never seen this before. Have a Bantam N&W- J and it turns freely. Any ideas?
Sounds like it's mechanically binding somewhere. When you turn the flywheel and it comes to a stop, take a careful look at the side rods and make sure one of them is not bent causing the binding issue. If that looks okay, you may have to get into the gear box to check out things down there. There could be something stuck in one of the gears.
Appreciate the advice, but since it's never been out of the box til yesterday, guess I will have to send to MTH for repairs. Disappointed that it won't be the gift for grandchild. Guess I'll have to drag out one that works from my collection 
You can also unplug and re-plug in the tether.
Are you running with DCS? If so try a factory reset of the engine. If you are running conventional, do a reset as shown in the owner's manual on Page 11. It may be locked in neutral.
We've tried that too. Strange that this is the second one with same problem. Now I have 2 non-running SP Daylight Bantams. Maybe they had a recall on them years ago?!
Added to my last response above.
Will try the default setting.
When you change direction or turn off track power, do sounds cut out in less than 5 seconds? If so, it's most likely a battery issue.
Make sure that the battery is an 8.4 volt rechargeable, not a 7.2.
Reset and responds to signals, but still locked up. Grrrr. Thanks for your time and advice, Merry Christmas!
Battery is rechargable 9 v.
going to call MTH at noon. Maybe someone will be there, but not counting on it.
Berkman, a rechargeable battery cannot be 9-volt, despite what it may say. Cells are 1.2 volts each. Most are 6 cell, which yields 7.2 volts. What you need is one that delivers 8.4 volts. I suggest, for a test only, putting in a 9-volt alkaline. Given that MTH stopped using this size battery over 10 years ago, it's a sure thing that the battery is bad.
There are some 8.4's available in local-type stores. I ask someone who knows if Harbor Freight or Radio Shack carry them to chime in with the part number. I would not trust the average Radio Shack employee to know the difference.
Tried to rotate the wheels with flywheel and it won't make a complete revolution. Never seen this before. Have a Bantam N&W- J and it turns freely. Any ideas?
Something amiss here. You should be able to turn the fly-wheel freely with no binding. .If you can't ,the motor won't be able to as well. Might even burn it out. All my engine 's flywheel's turn easily.
Is it possible one of the drivers is out of quarter causing a binding? Is there a local Hobby Shop nearby where you can get the correct battery? I like to use OEM equipment in my locomotives. Good luck.
Here is a idea.
It sounds mechanically locked. My guess one of the eccentric assemblies is 180 degrees off. Try taking the screw out and rotate the flywheel by hand. If it turns freely then, carefully reinstall the eccentric linkage 180 from where it was.
I have one of the same engines that is doing the same thing. Fortunately for me, it is NOT a gift for a child, and I have plenty of other locomotives to run, so I haven't put enough effort into diagnosing the problem with this one.
I Wish You Good Luck, and Hope that You find the problem with this, it might even help me out too,
Doug
Typing for my husband. He says it's a bantam sp daylight with one side rod, similar to Lionel 2020 turbine. Flywheel turns only some in either direction and wheels are locked.
Doug, yes unfortunate, and the second one we've tried. If they weren't recalled, guess they should have been Just got the second one yesterday. Tried to call MTH, but I'm sure they are gone for the holiday. Was on hold for over 20 minutes before getting disconnected.
Are you saying that there are no other rods but the side rod connecting the wheels? That doesn't sound right. Can you post a loco or set model number?
When you rotate the flywheel, watch the side rods that go up to the cylinders and see if they appear to jam at the end of their travel.
Are the 1/2 moons on the drivers in the same position? I don't know if loosing off the screws that hold the side rods on would help & then tighten them up again. Should be a touch of slack at each bolt. not much but some.
Yes if you can post a picture of both sides of your engine one of us may see a potential problem.
RJR posted:Are you saying that there are no other rods but the side rod connecting the wheels? That doesn't sound right. Can you post a loco or set model number?
When you rotate the flywheel, watch the side rods that go up to the cylinders and see if they appear to jam at the end of their travel.
I don't have a pic handy, but Berkman probably has the 30-4182-1 set. There is just the rod coming from the crosshead to the second driver, and a rod connecting all the drivers, just a stamped crosshead and NO valve gear. These are a very small starter set locomotive designed for 027 operation.
Berkman, the on I am having trouble with is an older Loco-Sound version, it is locked up TIGHT, with NO slack motion at all.
My PS2 version, and the 2 PS2 sest that I gave my Sisters have all been fine so far, but they don't get much track time. Several years ago, I gave each of my Sisters a Bantam Daylight set for Christmas. Growing up in Portland, OR, the 4449 is a "Hometown Girl" and those sets are Very Popular with the Niece and Nephews(and my sisters too).
Not the trouble with mine, but have you checked to see if a bolt on the front drivers is coming out and hitting the rod from the crosshead, that would cause it to bind, but still allow a little forward/backward slack movement.
Good luck, these cute little engines make no pretense aout being any nothing remotely close to scale, but are usually very popular any way,
Doug
Figured it out. Looks just like this. Can't take picture of real thing, but it's fresh out of the newly opened box. 
When you say "Figured it out," do you mean you've found the cause of the problem?
No, how to post the pic. Probably giving up on it for now. Don't have much time to get another set ready for the gifting. Appreciate all the replies and advice. Will try to contact MTH again after holidays. Merry Christmas to all!
MTH won't honor a warranty on this it is from 2000. It is 15 years old, so not sure where you found this new. Having said that, these can get bound up from the bracket for the steam chest pushing into the wheels. Makes sure alignment is fine. Hard to mis-quarter wheels on this unless done at factory, but if a side rod bolt has pinched the side rod it can't rotate.
So loosen all the side rod bolts and then see if it frees up. If not, take shell off, 4 screws and loosen the 3 motor mount screws and see if it that frees the motor up, also see if the wheels turn now.
Depending on how this was stored, it could have corrosion binding it too. G
One last time...
...did you make sure that the battery is 8.4 volts, not 7.2 volts?
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