A friend bought what I believe is a 3 rail OO gauge passenger car in Switzerland.  He found the wheels are not insulated & have to be replaced. They have to be at least 38'' - 40'' in HO to clear the sideframes. Any suggestions?   Already tried NWSL.   Thanks

Kadee also makes many diffrent styles.

  Most DC models do not run well on DCC.  The carrier voltage acts like AC & will quickly overheat the motor.  If the motor heats up enough it will melt the insulation on the windings & results in a dead short & a dead motor.
   Hope this isn't the case, but it may well be. If you have an Ohm meter you can isolate the motor & check for a dead short.  Good Luck

  GOOD NEWS...Just got the latest catalog from NWSL & they are working on new gears for the HO Climax.  They are having problems with the driveshaft, but it looks solveable.   The gears for the Shay are available for about $25.   They are also looking at some of the On30 engines.   Jerry

Go to Carstens web site & read his Bio.   ........ AMAZING !!

I think you can order them from Digitrax

  After reading all the complaints with bachmann products, have any of you had any experience with the new 45 ton switcher? S ???eriously considering purchasing one.   Thanks,  Jerry

  Nice color combination.   Jerry

  Before you throw those audio or video cassettes away, take some time to remove the screws that hold most of them together.  Trust me, some day you will need one or more of them.   jerry

  I really don't know how accurate the voltage has to be, but a wall mounted adapter should do for him. The crossbucks will operate on 14 volts one time & overheat & shut down.  I emailed him the replys.  THANKS ,  Jerry

  A friend needs to have a power supply with exactly 12 volts DC to control flashing crossbucks.   Any suggestions without getting an expensive regulated power supply?   I suggested wiring 8 alkaline D cells together. Any other suggestions?  Thanks

  I was just told today that the Starr-Tec uses a relay to change polarity, that may be easier to fix than a transistor system. I will open it & send pictures.   Jerry

  Thanks so much for the informative reply.   I did test it with different locomotives with the same result.  I did take a basic RCA electronics course years ago, but this is probably over my head.  How would I identify which type of circuit I have? Don't really have anyone I know of that could help. Do you think you could identify the circuit if I sent some pictures to you & could tell me what components could be at fault? ( don't really know how to post pictures, but could email them to you) Thanks Again,   Jerry

  Need info on a Starr-Tec Hogger.    Locos run great in one direction, Barely move in the other direction when the direction switch is thrown.
   Probably in the powerpack & not the controller. Do you know what is used to change direction?   The switch on the hand contriller is only connected to the powerpack with a phone cable & couldn't carry the necessary amperage to power a large Scale Train so there must be some kind of relay or electrical circuit  to reverse the polarity inside the box.   Thanks

   I think if I buy an engine for any price with a lifetime guarantee they should fix it no matter how much it cost them & not stop producing it so they can substitute another engine that doesn't cause them problems & one you don't want.  Jerry