As someone once told me, changing the trucks is another way to go. I bought a card of 42535 trucks which will convert 12 cars at a time. Take off old trucks, take wheels off them, install wheels onto new trucks, install new trucks. And since they're Bachmann trucks, they go right on with no mods. Of course though, this works most of the time, not always. Some cars (like my Amtrak ones) wont accept the new trucks. But all my freight ones did. And it helps a lot to make a car with Rapido on one end and the new connector on the other end to make a "transition" car so you can run both kinds. It was like 28.00 total on e-bay for the card of trucks.

Welcome to the forum!

I also would like more buildings to choose from. Or at least maybe updating ones that are out there. With all the different cars out there, some of the scenes like the "auto dealership" would look nicer with a few cars that had guts in them. Maybe include some material that could be used as curtains in windows. Or how about gas pumps that look like gas pumps. Just a few ideas I'd like to pass on.

Sounds like a plan. I can try it at least. Any other ideas? How do most layouts power their electric accessories?

So my little layout is getting near done and I decided to add lights to the buildings on it. There are 7 of them and I put one little light in each. Wired in parallel, and hooked up the the power supply that came with my Yard Boss set, it looks pretty nice. Then after about 10-15 seconds they go out. Disconnect them wait a few seconds and then reconnect and they light up. And then go out again. Are 7 little wheat grain bulbs too much for this tranformer? No, I wasn't running a train at the time.

I used to live about 200 yds away from the tracks here in Goldsboro. The only thing you'd hear was LONG freight trains rolling by every few hours. But sometimes, very rarely, you'd hear something that wasn't quite right. It was the steam whistle in the distance, and sure enough thats what was comeing down the tracks. A couple of times during the summer, they take out an old steam engine and run it down the tracks with a few passenger cars on it. I never did find out why but I sure as heck ran through the woods to see it go by. I've always liked trains and for the first time, I've started building my own layout. The steamers will always be my favorites. I looked for layout plans and when I couldn't find any I liked, I thought "why not make one up?" So what if it's not "real"? As long as you enjoy what your doing, go have fun. As far as hills or mountains go, if you want them, use them. Around here, if your going up any kind of hill and your car downshifts, it's a mountain!

Thanks for the info. I guess it's time to go to Lowes then. Hey, it can't hurt to ask.

unfortunatly, the closest Home Depot is about 45 minutes away, one way. I guess I'll keep looking,,,

This may have been asked before, but where does a person go to purchase 2" thick foam boards to make a layout on? The thickest around here at Lowes is 1/2" and it's covered with a plastic that has like squares made into it and if you peel it off, it leaves a nice impression in the foam. They do have a board that's like 1.75" thick but it's covered in foil on both sides. So, any ideas?

Well, it only cost a little so I thought "what the heck?". Anyhow, it looks like with a little work, a newer motor from a busted loco I have will fit. Thanks for the reply.

Add me to the list!

I also would like to see a turntable that works with the n-scale EZ-track. And definatly more steam locos with sound in them.

Okay, e-bay strikes again. I got me an 0-6-0 locomotive that has Bachmann on the bottom. The tender uses a draw bar that is not electrically connecteted to the locomotive. The tender also has no pick ups on it. The weight in the loco is one peice, it does not split in two. The motor seems to have a plastic outside. All three sets of drivers are geared to the motor.

Everything seems fine except the motor. Where in the world do I find as part number for it? Or, what other motor might go in it?

Hmm, the traction tire thing makes sense. I'll try that. And hopefully I wont mess it up!

Okay, I got into the front truck and "adjusted" the contact points and got the rear wheels on the truck to move quite well. The front axle though hangs up a little but nowhere near as much as it did. Tried pulling the same 3 cars (all of which roll down the 2% incline on their own) and it spins the wheels less but it still does it. Now I did put a weight on the loco and it'll pull right up the slope with these 3 and more cars on it. Problem is, It looks like crap. There's nowhere to hide the weight! Any other ideas???