Great.  Thank you!

Brand new decoders, purchased in UK and carried home to Michigan.  Installed in two new loco's this week, on new track.  Both run, but stop at random points on the layout, and sit with no control for 90seconds (always this period) then set off again at the same speed.  Lights are still on during this period, so still powered up.  I have two of them, different loco's displaying the same problem.  Not returnable as the store is 3000miles away...  Can you help?

What/Whose power supply are you using??

Dear RKC,
Please give the service department a call tomorrow.
They'll be happy to help you resolve the situation.
Good luck!
the Bach-man

Our son's little big hauler motor gets extremely hot after running for only about ten minutes. I mean REALLY HOT. Then it stops.  Give it a few minutes to cool and you can get another ten minutes. I've taken it out of the chassis, removed the rods, and have it sitting free on a table with clips to the motor leads. Same result. Gears and wheels have been cleaned, greased, oiled. Help. A dad's image is at stake. 

Hi trainman,

Both of these locomotives have plastic boilers.

Plastic or die cast?

1.  Consolidate
2.  Mogul

The KCS Southern Belle inspired paint scheme is beautiful and about to be lost, so much better than solid red.  Count it among the other lost ones like the warbonnet and the black widow.

If the view is looking west and slightly north, with downtown in the distance, this is probably the old T&NO (SP) crossing the old I-GN (MP).  I crossed those diamonds many a time on SP No. 2 and No. 5.  That was 60 years ago more, so nothing looks familiar anymore.