I just purchased a New (old new stock) Bachmann GE44 Ton Switcher with on board dcc. First run out of the box it sounds like a corn shucker - runs OK forward and reverse but I am concerned about the noise. This is a 2003 unit and I am sure it has been sitting somewhere on a shelf for awhile. I am thinking it needs lubrication but, would like some opinions on what to use or could there be something else wrong? Got a good deal on it so I want to salvage it if possible. Your thoughts?
Does it make a clicking sound? The fact that it runs worse in one direction makes me lean towards a drivetrain issue. A gear could be cracked if it makes a grinding sound. I don’t own a 44 tonner, so I don’t know the specifics of its design, but if it has slop in the worm axle, putting washers on it to tighten it up and prevent forward/backward motion can help with gear sound as well.