you may also have a rail joiner problem.  phil

Quote from: ShoeToe on January 09, 2013, 07:49:37 PM
Just added a simple branch using 2 turnouts and 2 18" curve EZ tracks with rerailer +2 straights. My 2-8-0 loco cannot navigate the 2 curved tracks.  It derails on the rerails.  All Bachmann stuff including the loco.  What gives?  Loco runs fine on 18" curves without rerails around the rest of the layout.

check your track gauge.  then watch as your engine goes around the curve.  there may be something lifting up your wheels.  Phil

Quote from: union pacific 844 on January 08, 2013, 02:21:15 PM
i have a set ihc  passenger cars  how do open them to put people in them  im stump   

There should be 6 tabs on the bottom of the car to let you release the roof, if they are like the old AHM/Rivarossi ccars Phil

Quote from: union pacific 844 on January 06, 2013, 01:14:37 AM
where can i get a set or what cars will match a American Freedom Train 4449 4-8-4

might try e bay and/or local swap meet.  good luck.   Phil

Quote from: TrainNewb on January 06, 2013, 01:14:16 AM
Hello fellow train enthusiasts, total train newb here and I have a problem and a question. I haven't had a train set since I was 9 years old and that was over 25 years ago. I bought my 6 year old son a Bachmann Iron King HO ez track set for Christmas. It ran great the first couple of days but then just stopped running. It maybe has about 5 hours of actual running time so far so its not even broke in yet. So here is the situation.

The power pack is functional, at first the headlight would come on but the train wouldn't go. I verified the tracks were all still fully connected,  and all wires were connected correctly. Now the train light won't even come on. I initially took the track apart and wiped down all the track with a clean dry cloth and re-connected, but still not functioning. I went to the hobby shop today and bought some Tidy Track cleaner and a track cleaner (eraser looking thing). I wiped down all the track pieces, and then used the track cleaner (eraser looking thing) and scrubbed the track as I was instructed. I then wiped down all the track with a clean cloth. I then used a q-tip with cleaning solution to clean the wheels of the steam engine. After cleaning everything I made sure all the track was fully connected again and all wires were connected correctly as well. Still no go. The light isn't functioning either. A co-worker who is big in the hobby suggested that I take the engine apart to see if the connectors were making contact on the wheels. I took the bottom plate off and inspected the copper connectors. They all were clean and appear to be making contact where needed. So I put the bottom plate back on. Still not functioning. This is where I stand now. A 6 year old that wants to play with his train that I can't get to run.

Is there anything you guys can suggest that I'm not doing?  Is this train a bad unit and is need of replacement?  Any help is appreciated. My 6 year old will thank you.

if you have a volt/ohm meter check the terminals on the power pack.  Sounds more like the engine has died. Phil

Quote from: union pacific 844 on January 05, 2013, 01:38:54 AM
what is the longest  flat car made  for ho scale?

89'4" Walthers, Atlas and Athearn.  your choice of channel or all purpose.

Quote from: Eddy on January 03, 2013, 09:55:04 PM
I have a floodlight car (16238).  Just tonight it caused a short-circuit on my track. I narrowed the problem to the light bulb housing.  I'm now trying to remove the lens from the housing.  Does anybody know if the lens is glued on or is simply held in by friction?

if it is like their flood lights the lens should pop out with a small flat blade screw driver.  phil

Quote from: union pacific 844 on January 04, 2013, 01:12:43 AM
what size of wire do i need to wire a engine

from the motor to the wheels?  I like stranded 22ga. phil

Quote from: Signalman on April 01, 2012, 08:05:07 AM
G'Day all. This time I am looking for a little help regarding cleaning of my HO track. At the moment I am building my layout, and laying tracks. In some areas, I have to lean across, and place my arms on some of the track. After a few days, my nickle silver track became very dull and grimy. I used one of those Peco tracking rubbers to clean the track of all the grime. The track came up nice and shiny, but I was astonished at the amount of grit that was in between the tracks. I took a length of flexi track, placed it on the bare layout table, and cleaned the rails with my Peco Track Cleaning Rubber. After cleaning this section of track, I tipped it on its side and tapped it on the table. I was shocked at the amount of shiny grit that was on the table from the rubber. I have decided to only use the rubber to remove spills of paint, glue, etc., that has fallen on the track. Any help with cleaning my track is much appreciated. I have purchased a bottle of Model Power, Track Cleaner, and a bottle of Rail-Zip. Both of these bottles have no instructions on how to use these liquids on my track. Can anyone help. I want something that I can wet a cloth with, and then rub the tracks to get off the grime on the rails. Any help would be much appreciated. Regards. Col.

my layout is currently under renovation .  However, I converted to metal wheels 22 years ago and most of my electrical continueity vanished.  I use a brite boy on my turnouts or areas whene I notice my headlights flickering.  Rail Zip on my engines with brass wheels  and that is about it.  Phil

Quote from: celticsteam on December 30, 2012, 02:08:15 AM
How do you connect multiple light sets. I have one lighted building hooked up to my controller. If I want to add more lighted or powered items, what do I need to do?I like to hook lights up in series.  Phil

Quote from: celticsteam on December 30, 2012, 01:58:38 AM
What are the numbers for as far as engines go, ie 0-6-0? I just received the Chattanooga set as my starter set.

0-6-0= no pilot lead truck, 6 drivers 3 on each side.  a 2-8-2 would have a 2 wheel pilot truck,4 drivers and a 2 wheel trailing truck.  I believe this was called the Whyte system.  Steam pros help me with the last.  Phil

Quote from: union pacific 844 on December 25, 2012, 11:08:53 PM
if you where going to make up a 10 car UP passenger train what type of cars would you use ?

I can run a 22 car COLA using Walthers,AMB, BCS and AHM cars.  Walthers has produced many of the cars that I converted 20 years ago.  Except for the head end stuff.  Phil

Quote from: dipeedo on December 18, 2012, 08:06:52 PM
I found several lighting kits for the old-fashioned Walthers Budd cars.  But there's mention of "DC" kits and then "DCC" kits. Since I'm runnning EZ DCC command I would think I want the "DCC" kit but I've already bought the "DC" kits and put one in a car and it works, so what am I looking at here ?  I mean, what's the real difference ? None of them are still listed as "in stock", all are obsolete merchandise, so can I make them work?
These are actually for my wife (she's the passenger guru - I do the freight trains and we work together) and are for Christmas presents but I'm having prob understanding.

jonathan is right.  I too found out the hard way.   NFL also mean Not For Long.   phil

Quote from: dave1516gill on December 09, 2012, 07:13:06 PM
Hi everyone,

I recently posted regarding metal wheels, ie if they are better than plastic. Anyhow, I need to purchase some metal wheels for the coaches in my Santa Special HO gauge train set 00707, but I don't have a clue what size to order. I thought HO gauge was just all the same size, but apparantly not. Would anyone be able to let me know what size to order and the product code.
Many thanks,
David

sometimes going from a 33" to a 36" will change your coupler height also  phil

Quote from: dave1516gill on December 09, 2012, 07:13:06 PM
Hi everyone,

I recently posted regarding metal wheels, ie if they are better than plastic. Anyhow, I need to purchase some metal wheels for the coaches in my Santa Special HO gauge train set 00707, but I don't have a clue what size to order. I thought HO gauge was just all the same size, but apparantly not. Would anyone be able to let me know what size to order and the product code.
Many thanks,
David

a word of caution, though.  some passenger trucks wont accept 36" wheels happily.  you may find 33" will work better.  Phil