I had to expand the width & height of this kit to accommodate my ON30. There was just enough wiggle room to solder the wires (copper bands) connecting the sides to the rail bed for connection, but i was afraid of getting the heat of the soldering iron near the circuits under the blinking light (i'm still a novice at soldering), but was able to use a small bit of extra wire soldered to the sides & do a compression type connection like the original setup.  Well, after months of working fine, one day after replacing the train itself, something either got bumped or jiggled too much from vibration & i saw a little puff of smoke come from the light on top.  YIKES!!!
After some testing, discovered the light hadnt blown & still worked. Figured i needed a more permanent connection, so after removing the light itself from the top rails, i attempted to solder a little wire to it, but the solder would not stick to the little square compression pads on the light.  Masking tape works but of course that looks awful & will likely wear loose in no time. Tried different glues but they just insulated the contacts & eventually i got a deadly short.

To cut the story short, i ordered a new truss bridge (just for the light since nobody sells spare parts). Question is, what's a good way to connect the sides to the top with a very short strip of wire that is secure so i dont have to worry about it coming loose & shorting out the circuit board again?
Thanks for any input - stay safe & sane...
Jerry,
Largo, FL

#25023 On30 Norman Rockwell American Christmas for $212 including shipping. Way cheaper than others listed/previously sold & supposed to be new in box.  This will replace an aging Wonderland Express that needs a major overhaul (bought it used but hasnt performed or held up well).

Anywho, does the 2-6-0 loco on the 25023 produce steam? i couldnt really tell by writing on box. Also, any chance the lights are LED? Didnt see the Spectrum logo on the box pix either (tho i'm not exactly sure what Spectrum means other than finer detailing).

i also lucked up on a Spectrum On30 Great Northern lighted caboose (NIB) for $39 to add to it (to me a train aint complete without a caboose!!) & may get a freight car or two later since it'll pass a warehouse loading dock as well as a passenger station.  See freight trains go by here several times a day & they look "nekkid" compared to ones i used to see as a kid out in the country.

Thanks & stay safe,
Jerry - Largo, FL

i'm looking for a kit or even just a diagram of parts of a ski lift or ski gondola setup that would be scaled right for my Christmas village.  Lemax makes one but they are rare to find & pretty pricey when ya do.
The mountain section of the display layout doesnt have room for a working train, maybe a trolley/street car but i doubt it could handle the pretty steep incline.
i've tried googling every phrase combination i could think of but nothing pops up similar to what i'm looking for.
Thanks in advance,
Jerry - Largo, FL

This is likely a silly question that just deserves a simple "No" answer, which is fine, but figured i'd throw it out there.
I've got two Bachmann On30 Christmas trains - Wonderland Express & Rockwells Holiday Express (latter acquired today). Both have almost identical 2-6-0 engines. Noticed neither has a lighted cab but the headlights work on both. Is there just not a cab light or is it possible both are faulty? Cant find any docs to state if there is/isnt one.
Thanks in advance.
Jerry W - Largo, FL

i need to create a relatively small oval track (30" x ?) & wondering how many pieces of the 15" radius curved track i'll need for each end. i've already got straight track for the middle pieces.
Thanks in advance.
Jerry W - Largo, FL

Just scored a Jingle Bell Express from a local Hospice thrift store (50% off Christmas in July sale  ) for only $20.  It's missing the track but has the power pack, speed control & all cars.  Still a great steal even without the track.
Only thing is is the caboose is missing 1 axle on the front wheel truck. Tried searching the site for a replacement axle or entire truck but cant seem to spot one. Anybody know the part number for either the truck or just axle?
It's HO scale, plastic wheel. i've got a train repair place nearby but i know this is a part i can replace myself.
Thanks in advance,
Jerry W - Largo, FL

i've got a Bachmann Wonderland Express On-30 with HO E-Z Track. i'm finishing up my permanent Christmas village layout which i was hoping to have the train completely encircle. However, i'd prefer to narrow the last few feet to about a 32 inches deep curve vs the rest being at 36 deep (cutting in to dining room table space!).
Of course i've got alternatives if i cant make the curve back sharper - chop off the end of the loop sooner or just eat up the dining room space.
Any advise will be greatly appreciated & thanks in advance.
Jerry W - Largo, FL

i need to extend my HO E-Z Track from Bachmann Wonderless Express to about a 15x3 ft oval. Should i purchase the longer straight sections for better connections/less power loss or are the standard sections good? It will be in a permanent Christmas village display (least until, & if, i change houses!!)
Thanks in advance...
Jerry W - Largo, FL

Is it possible to gradually raise the HO E-ZTrack up to 10" & my Wonderland Express On30 still be able to chug up & down the slopes?  I'm trying to raise it above Christmas village buildings so i dont have to move them from current layout.  Dont want to hide train either by raising buildings above track.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Jerry W - Largo, FL
"Real Train Newby ;-)"

i'm getting ready to merge my Wonderland Express (#25001) with EZ-Track in to my Christmas village.  Part of the proposed path has Astroturf for grass for the old setup.  Can i just lay the track on top of that or would it be better to rip it up (hot glued in place)?
Appreciate any advice