Jim models HO scale and asks:

“I am hoping that someone either knows how to change from the old horn/hook couplers to Kadees on a Model Power HO Scale Pennsylvania PRR EMD E7 Diesel Engine # 5772.”

Roger posted his O gauge model 8644 question:

“I was pulling 11 cars yesterday and today the engine just sits there and the light flickers on and off, pulsating trying to move. I’m thinking I shorted it out. I ran other engines on the track to be sure the track is good. Thanks.”

Add your suggestions and read the comments below.

Jess models HO scale and asks readers:

• Do you have any experience with older, lighted passenger cars – HO scale?
  
• I bought a set and cannot get the light to work.  Only one car had a bulb and interior wiring.
  
• I did test the light with alligator clips, and the bulb works when tethered with the clips to the track.
  
• I can’t figure out how the current gets to the bulb.
  
• I have included pics.  My restricted knowledge of electricity is confused on where the copper pickups need to draw their current.
  
• I think if I could position the front to pick up the right lane and the rear to pick up the left it would work.

Any input would help. 

Glen would like feedback and writes:

Can a locomotive motor become weaker and lose power over time? A friend told me he heard heat can demagnetize motors with “excessive use”, but when I asked how many hours running would be “excessive use” he said he didn’t know and hadn’t asked. I’m not convinced, because I have some 35+ year-old engines that still run as good as new, but I do maintain them well. Does someone know for sure if this can happen or not, after how many hours of running, and are some brands/types of engines more susceptible? Just skeptical and curious?

Post your feedback and comments below.

Kenneth writes:

“I am building a DCC layout 5 metres by 3 metres around the room layout with an electric lift bridge at one end for access to the room. The layout will consist of the main station (up and down line) and adjacent branch line station and in this general area will be a wheat silo branch, works and way branch and a goods/cattle branch all interconnected.

The branch line runs to a terminating station with an adjacent fuel depot. Off the up and down lines on the opposite side of the layout will be two fiddle yards, with one off each of the up and down lines. Off the back of one of the fiddle yards is a line to a turntable and loco house.

I wish to break up the layout into power districts for short management control etc. The districts will be up line down line, wheat solo branch, goods/cattle-yard/works and way yards, branch line station and fuel depot, turntable, the electric lift bridge and the up and down fiddle yards. Each power district will be isolated from the other by insulated rail joiners on both rails and will be powered through an electronic short management device and powered by separated sub buses off the main bus line. I only propose operating two maybe three DCC sound-equipped locos at a time. I am using an NCE Power Cab. Do I need a booster for each power district?”

Christine models N scale and asks readers:

“I just bought Kato track cause it’s pretty…so that tells you about my expertise. I also got a double crossover and it is not connected to any transformer as I only have it to go in a permanent figure 8 like configuration. My loco stopped running forward. I can turn it around but it still goes backwards. I do not see any switches on the loco. Did I short it out? I would really appreciate help. Thank you!”