We've got a small set up of Bachmann snap track around the tree and a new On30 Climax and 2-4-4-2 to pull a string of the Christmas themed passenger cars around it.  Over the last couple of weeks two of the cars have developed major electrical pickup issues, giving the look of a Christmas themed disso train rather than a serene turn-of-the-century rail line.

While I'm not new to model railroading I'm a novice when it comes to tinkering and not very confident.  I've cleaned both the track and the wheels of said coaches but that hasn't improved the situation (and the 3rd coach in the set is working fine).  I was going to take the trucks off to check the wipers but I'm not confident I'm sure how to do that being that there is no obvious screw securing them.  I also note some wires going from the truck to the car body and don't want to do more damage than is already done.

Any suggestions on how to A) safely remove the trucks or B) troubleshoot the electrical feed issue would be greatly appreciated.  The fact these cars light up so nicely (normally) really makes the train and I was even thinking of getting some passengers and maybe re-doing the car floor mail isle ways (to hide the screws) to make them extra special for next year.

Thanks!
Art

I'm sure these questions have been answered before, so feel free to point me in the right direction...  I have two Spectrum light mountains that run well & I'd like to develop, but I have the following questions.

#1  I've read that shimming the traction tire axle on the LM will improve it's performance.  Are there any step-by-step instructions for this process anywhere?  Or can you tell me what size shim to use & where to put it?

#2  I'd like to put a functional knuckle coupler at the front of my locos... suggestions?

#3  Would like to install a DCC chip w/ sound if possible... again... suggestions?

Thanks - Art

To keep it brief...

I'm new to the forum and model railroading.  Have discovered a pension for superdetailing.  Am working on a 1920's era layout with one prototypical road as the main line (Copper Range) and one free-lance to drive the action (Aardvark Mining Co.).  Needed some "back woods" rolling stock to support the mining & timber operations of the Aardvark.  A friend suggested that Bachmann old timer cars were a good place to start, so here's what I came up with...

Before...


After...

My first attempt at customizing.  Wire handrails, break, grabs and stanchions.  Krystal Klear windows, safety & auxilliary chains, Z couplers.

Before...


After...

Since the original model didn't come with grabs, I used a real gon of this era that has been restored at the Midcontinental Railway Museum in New Freedom, WI as an example (8 per end).  Other than the wire work, the thing I'm proudest of with this one was using strip styrene in order to make the inside walls of the gon have the same wood plank look as the outside of he walls, rather than smooth as on the original model.

Fun projects (thank's for the excellent raw material Bachmann!)  Lot's more to do...

Art