how many pieces of auto reversing track do i need for a trolley run? and can imix it with standard ez track?

hi Jerry, i thought i posted this already but i do not see it here. i applied bullfrog snot traction maker to the ahm locos, now they seem to pull normally. one thing i did notice however, the flanges on the wheels of those older ahm locos are very tall....much larger than the bachmann 44 tonner wheel flanges,..i am curious now if they are in fact so deep into the track,that they are 'bottoming out' on the ties.has anyone ever noticed this? or am i shootin in the dark?

...hello, i just wanted to mention a gadget i found on ebay that really looks as if it would work well for keeping a smoothe curve with flex track... they call it a 'radius tool'... kinda looks like a pantograph like architects use. it has pins that hold track as you work around curves. adjustable for radius size...hmmmm i may have saved that one in favorites...

good news they are re-opening as i am about to start remodeling a layout after 20 years of idle time for me!!! thanks for the updates!!

you are right Ken G., taking me a bit to get 'back into the swing of things!"" it has after all been 20 years,lol. ...always rewarding to find a problem and fix it!!

thanks for the suggestions...as i wrote in another post yesterday,i found the front powered truck was dead...due to a disconnected wire! nothing will stop a dual motored unit like a motor that is not running! seek and ye shall find. ;)no need for traction tires now as i will only use it as a small freight switcher!! and yes,i know there should be grooves in original wheels,thats what had me wondering!!

nice to know how much you enjoy the hobby with your grandson gandy dancer!!! take it from me....no questions are 'stupid' questions...i think anyone here will agree to that!!! enjoy

one thing is for certain....i need to put all the info here when i post. thanks again for all your kind input!!!

i used lifelike track  cleaner first...to get  track clean of any oil residue......then followed up with abrasive pad for shiny clean rail. in the meantime, i took  one loco apart and found a broken wire on front powered truck....at least now i know why the 44 tonner was slipping.now i just wonder about the 4 wheel single motor units........havin fun now...

a little careful inspection showed broken wire to front powered truck. no wonder it was slipping...motor is older style worm drive...no way for those front wheels to turn with a still worm gear!! so,repairing or replacing front truck...i can only hope wite didnt "melt off" due to bad motor. thanks again for any replies!!!

ok to go one step further,i used to do quite a bit of "model railroading" bk in the 70's and 80's....so i have been 'out of touch' with trains for a very long time. i do have some older locos from that era from various mfgr's...and i do remember them having traction tires. i looked at a pic of a new powered truck for my 41-0804-14 bachmann switcher.....i do not see traction tires there illustrated...did they in fact use them? this slipping condition is new experience for me.. the bf snot DID in fact  improve another small RSO switcher.....and as i stated in other posts...i use a 'pulse power' powerpack because i like that creeping start,like real life. this loco  slips with or without cars...any help apppreciated.

yeah i've checked for oil....and ran a light scour pad over rails. the 44 tonner is a bachman spectrum#41-0804-14 ...maybe i will go look up parts list and see if they have those traction tires for that model.thanks again for the input!!!oh and no offense taken here Doneldon...

thanks for the replies...i did not provide enough info first time around....no pitch or uphill on layout..all level.i dont like full power starts...or high speed trains....i have an older throttle pac with pulse...which used to work very nice with my "other brand flywheel driven" locos. i prefer low power starts...more realism....and no,the slipping locos have no traction tires...all diesels...i do not even see a ring where there ever was any.the two engines in question are RSO switchers....very heavy for thier size...and they slip with or without freight. i also have a dual motor 44 tonner...same thing. i recently purchased some liquid traction maker....worked quite well for one switcher....maybe i need it for all of them. thanks again

is anyone having trouble with 'slipping loco drive wheels' on ez track? am i missing something. i recently purchased two older AHM engines,and i have some older bachman locos...all slip whether i have cars attached or not....help please?