The drive wheels on my engines are slipping trying to climb a slight grade.  I've been told that there is something that can be applied to the wheels that will give them a better grip.  Can anyone tell me what it is and where I can get it?

Thanks to all.  This is great information.  I currently run DC, but am thinking about DCC in the future when I have a bit more time and $.  I've been looking to add a switcher, and it's getting time to think about Christmas wish lists, so I guess that I can add these to mine.

I'm looking at getting a steam switch engine, either an 0-6-0 saddle tank (Bachman #81811 for example) or an 0-6-0 with slope tender (Bachman #353 for example).  Bachman does not provide much information about these in the on-line catalog.  Are the shells plastic or die cast?  How well do they run?  What features do they have (lights, smoke, etc.)?  How easy (or difficult) are they to convert to DCC & sound? etc, etc.  Any information would be appreciated.

So it looks like I'll skip the 0-4-0.  In addition to the 0-6-0 it looks like Bachman also has a nice 4-4-0, but expensive.  What can you tell me about the 0-6-0 and the 4-4-0?  Reliability, features, etc that may not be mentioned in their catalog?  Is it better to buy direct from Bachman or can you get better deals from other dealers?

I've been looking for an 0-4-0 switch engine, and see what looks like a nice one with a sloped tender on Walthers internet site.  However, all they provide is a picture and a price, it also says that it is currently  ???out of stock, which I assume means that they will eventually get more in.  Can anyone tell me anything about these engines:  How reliable are they?  Is the body plastic or die cast or what?  How well do they perform?  Can they be converted to DCC at some time down the road (I assume that for the posted price they are not DCC ready)? How reliable is Walthers for ordering off of the internet, especially ordering an engine that is presently out of stock?, etc.

after much checking with my VOM, this turned out to be a wiring problem, i.e. broken wires/shorts in the control cables, not coil problems.  Some cutting and soldering have fixed the problems.

My switches are not sticking, I checked that.  A friend that I spoke with today that has a pretty extensive set-up said that he manually trips all of his turn-outs, since the coils are so unreliable.  What about getting a switch machine and not using the coils?  Is there one that's reliable and that mounts on top so that I don't have to drill holes in my board (I like to change around my set-up fairly often)?

Lately I've been having problems with the coils on my turn-outs burning out.  I've got Bachman E-Z Track standard turn-outs, and, no, I'm not holding the switch down for more then a second.  I asked my guy at the hobby shop about it, and the only thing that he could suggest was to return them to Bachman for repairs, but by the time that I pay the postage and repair costs, I could by new ones.  I could easily solder in a new coils, but I don't know where I could get just the coils.  Any suggestions?

I'm looking for an HO DC 0-4-0 steam yard switch engine.  I've seen one somewhere in the past month or so, but can't remember where.  I've recently looked in Bachmann's and several other on-line catalogs, but no luck.  Can you point me to where I can find one, or if not, then recommend a switch engine?

OK, I'm a novice at this.  How do you insulate both of the rails?  I looked in Backmann's catalog and didn't see anything that could be used to insulate sections of track from one another.

My son gave me a couple of cars for my HO set for Christmas.  One of them is a tanker with a pad between the trucks that rubs along the rails.  What is this pad for?

I notice that there is quite a bit of discussion on reversing loops.  I'm using Bachmann EZ Mate track.  Is there a way to insulate one side of the loop from the other?  If so, how can it be wired so that the engine keeps running in the same direction when it crosses from one side to the other?

I'm setting up the Overland Limited kit that I received yesterday for Christmas.  I also received a Track Pack.  Two questions:

1) The controller does not have terminals to connect for power to the switches.  How can I get power to operate the switches?

2) The Overland Limited has six plastic sticks each of them one inch long packed in the Styrofoam that with the cars.  There is no mention of these in the instructions that came with the kit.  What are they for??