I'm sure the power wires are connected to the DC side.  Ours have wire that goes under the post screw at the power source end, and the wires are connected to a plug at the other end.  The plug goes into the track, sort of like a usb port works.  I don't know how I would test with wires because I wouldn't have two raw ends?

Thanks!  That's a big help.  I think I will take an inventory of what we have and see if it is worthwhile to stay with the old style track (there seems to be a lot of it!) and if so, clean it and clean the engine wheels to see if that helps with the power problems.  Most of them seem to light up and hum, just won't move or if they move, it is sloooowly and they don't have power to pull any cars.

What kind of tester?  Does Bachmann sell one?  Or is it something you get from the hardware store?

My brother got all of our old (mostly Lionel, but also my dad's/grandad's old steam engines, etc.) O gauge trains, so my parents bought Bachmann HO trains for my sons when they were little.  We had them all set up at one time on 2 4x8s, so we have alot of track, switches, some bendable track, etc. along with a nice selection of engines (sorry, I know you all probably call them by the proper name!) and train cars, buildings, etc.  As they grew, and we moved (alot) the trains were put into storage and taken out a bit at Christmas time.  I'd like to salvage them, and maybe start a new layout in the bonus room, but I have several problems:

1.  All of our existing track, except for one oval that came with the Harry Potter train, is the old style without the plastic "bed" part.  Is it possible to buy the old type o fBachmann track, or do I have to get all new track with the "bed" on it?  If so, which is considered better, the black or the gray?

2.  Several of the engines do not run now, although they all worked fine when they were put into storage (in a closet in the house, not subject to weather, etc.) and some do work but will not pull any cars.  I'm trying to run them on the new oval of track that came with the HP train, with the standard power source that came with that set.  Is there a way to test the engines to see if the motors are broken?

3.  I don't understand the "DCC" thing except that I realize it is a new sort of power system or something.  Obviously all of our engines are from the early 90's so they are whatever kind of motor/power type that we had back then.  Is that why the old engines don't work well on the "new' track from the HP set that we bought in 2001 or 2002?  The HP engine coupler broke, so it can't pull the cars, and I know I can fix that...

4.  Is it possible to get a more powerful power source so that the trains will run (assuming the engines are not permanently dead) on more than just a little oval without running out of steam? (yes, pun intended!)  I remember the big transformers we had for the "O" gauge - those trains would FLY!

I know this is alot of questions, and I'd appreciate any help on this.  My grandfather retired from the Norfolk and Western, and my father worked for the Norfolk Southern (now Southern) railroad for years, so trains were important in our family and I'd like to preserve the ones we have for my someday grandchildren.....