I finally get it, I think my confusion was ultimately based on the idea that the wheels, truck, and couplers were all together.  Mainly because I have no newer cars and the older cars had them together. I guess these are the Talgo trucks you mentioned before?  I have a temporary fix for the time being.  I have swapped out a hook and horn coupler on one of my Talgo trucks with an ez mate coupler.  This is so I can at least couple with the locomotive, it's not a very good connection, but I'm running at a lower speed on just an oval right now.  I have to get through the holidays before I proceed with upgrading my fleet of cars, which is 12 and expanding my track.  Thanks again for your help!

I figured as much, the trucks I currently have are plastic and either snap into the bottom or are attached to the bottom(metal) of each car.  Up to this point I have been a "pull the stuff out of the box, put it on the track, and go" kind of guy.  Will these new trucks even be compatible with the older freight cars?

So to put a shopping list together, I would need kadee #242 gear boxes, trucks, and wheels. Is there a specific brand on those you recommend?  Thanks again!

Hi all,

New here and recently returning to the hobby.  I got two Bachmann HO sets for Christmas many years ago.  One was the Power House set seen here in this Youtube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ER8c-zX8cHk and the other was just a generic set with a steam locomotive and a few cars.  Both of the locomotives are DOA, so I purchased the GE 44AC Central of Georgia DCC with sound locomotive.  I love it, it's amazing how much better these locomotives run compared to 30 years ago.  Anyway, the freight cars use the older hook and horn couplers, so I purchased some EZ Mate II Couplers to work with the new locomotive.  Well they are not compatible with these cars from the 1980s.  Before I get a lecture about Kadee, I know I didn't do proper research, I purchased the EZ Mate couplers, so I'm stuck with them.  So, knowing this, what all do I need to get these cars up and rolling again.  New trucks? Wheels, Gear boxes? etc.  I thought this was going to be much simpler, I hadn't realized how much had changed over the years. I've already spent a good chunk of change, so I'd like to keep costs minimal for now.  Thank you for an insight or assistance.