cale thank you so much.  I'll surf those forums during nap time if I haven't killed him firs...umm nevermind LOL 

We bought this train and plan on adding to it extensively so I guess I need to learn it as well.  We're building a shelf in his room that the trains will run around his rooms whenever he wants

Grandpa was a train nut.  I have his trains (from when he was a boy) and want to make my son a nut as well before he takes possession of them.  (He's 4...it will be years before he's allowed to touch them have no fear).

DH is out of town...Unfortunately DS found the new train (large scale circus train) in the Christmas stuff and he's out of his mind with excitement so this goofy mom decided....sure I can set it up.  I'm into this little project 3 hours now and ready to start drinking excessively.  No biggie....oh at least it shouldn't be but there are no instructions in the new train box (purchased last year)

I can't find any on line either (if they are here, please direct me) so I guessed.  Apparently wrong.

I have the track together and figured out how to make the pieces tight with the little track connectors. 

The train has a little plug which I stuck in the back (from the coal car to the engine).  The other cars seem to just butt up next to each other?  Power is attached to the track, (slid under a track connection area and held on with a track connector).  I turn it on and get noise, and it sounds like it's trying to make the wheels turn.....but nothing in the way of movement.  It also says something about smoke on the box, but I haven't a clue how to make that happen (I did put in the 9v battery). 

I have a few extra parts...some things that look like coupelers for the cars and a few black plastic things with wavey sides (no idea) as well as some silver metal pieces that look to go with the tracks.  Are these necessary for movement?   HELP HELP HELP?  Or I'll just take up early drinking...