Batman M7 Subway Set and additional Cars

• Batman M7 Subway Set and additional Cars
  Posted by batstang2000 on 05 Jan, 2015 19:41
• I have been collecting Lionel trains and Batman memorabilia for over 25 years and pre-ordered the M7 set as soon as it was announced.  A true dream come true combination of my two hobbies.  I have a question regarding the operation of this great Lionchief set.  There are plastic bands on the non-powered units on the trucks, should they be removed or should they stay on?  I can't tell if they are there for shipping purposes or need to stay on to  hold the wheels/axles in?  They seem to be binding the axles from rolling freely.  |\_/|
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• #1 Reply
  Posted by TrainLarry on 05 Jan, 2015 20:06
• Welcome to the forum!
  Without seeing a picture of what you have, it sounds like the plastic may be for shipping purposes only to possibly protect the wheels and trucks.  Do the instructions mention these pieces? The pictures I see online do not have anything obstructing the wheels as far as I can tell.
  
  Larry
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• #2 Reply
  Posted by batstang2000 on 07 Jan, 2015 12:35
• The instructions do not mention the bands.  Attached is a picture, the bands are clear plastic on the front of the trucks.
  
  [ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ]
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• #3 Reply
  Posted by TrainLarry on 07 Jan, 2015 12:59
• Thank you for the picture.
  The bands are indeed for shipping purposes and can be safely removed. They keep the trucks from spreading and the wheels from falling out.
  
  Enjoy your trains!
  
  Larry
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• #4 Reply
  Posted by batstang2000 on 09 Jan, 2015 11:44
• I removed the clear plastic bands and the power unit now pulls the other 4 cars without any shaking and/or spinning.  I'm not sure why Lionel would not include instructions to remove these prior to operation.  In all honesty, I did not even see the clear bands whenever I first unpacked and placed the cars on the track.
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