Alan ..I had the same problem as you.. when the loco wouldnt run the lights flickered on and off both red and white. I was using a bachmann 21 pin decoder which was new from Hattons..I took it out and replaced it with another used 21 pin bachmann reprogrammed it and of the loco went,, I still have a problem with the lights only one side is working... havn,t sorted that out yet...........