This is the freshest looking treadle I have see yet. It was well taken care of. --- The only way I could keep from going backwards half the time was to pull the hand wheel forward for a kick start. Otherwise it was a 50/50 chance of going backwards. Unfortunatly the older machines didn't have needle up/down options so it simply starts where it left off. Our feet seem to start the same way each time. enjoy your machine. It will be quite reliable.