I have a older HLW Mack switcher that has never run great. The gears would strip or grind. No matter how I tightened the motor block screws, it would bind or not engage the worm. Sent for replacements. same thin It has a Critter Control in it and I wanted something running while I build the new railroad.
I’ve had enough fiddling…
I had a 20 year old LGB motor block that has the same wheel base. Hacked out the old mounts and ran screws in from inside the cab. Boy does it run smooth now. But I miss the built in sound system of the grinding gears.