Which is best, metal wheels and plastic axles OR plastic wheels and metal axles in PLASTIC TRUCKS.  Your reasoning for whichever you have chosen.  Would the same reasoning hold true for METAL TRUCKS?? Many thanks for your thoughts!  Cheers, JWY

Thanks, Jim, OldTimer and Nigel for your replies.  Somewhere within them I will come up with a more usable 2-8-0 Consolidation ( Please note that I got the name right this time and thanks too, for not scolding me for using the incorrect name !)  Cheers to all !

My OLD Bachman 2-8-0 has a dummy (NON-USABLE) coupler firmly attached (molded in) in front.  With the new 2-8-0 that is being advertised by Bachman now, is there any part of the new one
that would or could replace the front end of my OLD 2-8-0 so it would have a usable coupler and could be used as a yard engine??

The thread through the spring to keep it in sight when they spring away sounds fine to me. Thanks much for your help Gentlemen.  Cheers

I repair jewelry for my wife, daughters and granddaughters, scratch build model airplanes etc., etc. but I have met my match when it comes to replacing springs on knuckle couplers !!  What is the secret ?? Hope to hear from successful craftsmen.

Many thanks to each of you for your replies - I see that I need to do a bit more research before deciding which trucks (properly) go with which cars. Thanks again for your help!   (I'm the $5.00 type)

I would like to standardize the trucks on my freight cars and passenger cars.  What kind of trucks are most commonly used on each kind of car??  Thanks for input from experienced modellers.  No offence to newbies like me but there must be some type that is best having been found through experience.

In the next few months I plan to assemble quite a few freight car kits and need recommendations on the proper adhesives for PLASTIC as well as METAL parts.

Thanks for all of your helpful replies - hope each of you had a great Thanksgiving !

As a beginner I need to know what type, style, etc. of couplers are preferred by most.  Magnetic or non-

magnetic?  I just want to begin with the most trouble free type.

I hear references to "proper break-in" for train locomotives.  What exactly is "proper break-in for a new locomotive"  ?

Many, many thanks to all that have replied - mosts helpful!!

Where do I get decals or "rub off" letters to to  change names on my engines and rolling stock ??

Gentlemen, many thanks - I believe, with your help, I understand  how to manage my locomotive motors much better - thanks again for taking the time to assist me!!

Jward:  Can the decoder be removed completely and then provide the same performance as just regular DC powered motors?  Have you done this?