One other safe lubricant, in my experience, is Vaseline, especially for gears.  As mentioned previously, less is better.  I have used Vaseline for years, and not done any harm to plastic gears or parts.  I use a toothpick to apply it.

I realize these are new, and probably won't be available for some time as separate parts or separate accessories.  Has consideration been given to making adapters for converting the older Rapido truck-mounted couplers, or will draft gear boxes be made available in the event they can be body-mounted?  In any event, this is a good step forward on Bachmann's part, and further cements the idea that converting old cars and locos to knuckle couplers is the ONLY way to go.

I too would advise converting to the knuckle couplers.  Most of the new rolling stock, regardless of manufacturer, is coming equipped with knuckle couplers.  In my experience, a large proportion of what is for sale used also has knuckle couplers.  So, my advice is to bite the bullet and convert.  Whether you replace just the couplers or replace trucks and all is a matter of skill and dexterity, availability, and finances.  The first purchase I would make is a good lighted magnifying glass or visor. 

Good luck!
Don

Has anyone done any directional or constant lighting of the F-7A units? I recently purchased a new A+B set at a train show.  The headlight didn't work, so I decided to remove the shell and replace the bulb.  What I found was the bulb simply inserted in a slot milled in the two halves of the fame, with the wires folded to make contact with the frame halves.

I have LED lights and fiber optic cable, so I am planning to install those if I can fit them in.  Has anyone done a similar installation.  I'd appreciate the benefit of your experiences.

Best regards,
Don