Here is a tip from my online Model Train Club:

When traveling on grades, cars near the head end of heavy trains, are subjected to an incredible degree of pull. This can force one knuckle up and out of the other. When the opposite coupler goes down it can loosen until the actuating pin snags things between the rails. Remove any cars with drooping couplers until they are repaired.

Here is another tip from the online Model Train Club:

Broken couplers are a common problem and this is sometimes caused by hitting the bumpers too hard. One way of avoiding this is to add two small nails just before the bumpers. The nails can be placed exactly two and a half ties from the bumper so they catch the axle of the car and keep the coupler from hitting the bumper. This could save many couplers and lower the frustration level also. You could paint the nails a bright color (eg. yellow) to make them easier to see.

Edward asks readers for help:

“I have one Lionel and one Bachmann engines that have stripped gears from the motor to the axle. I sent in Bachmann engine in for repairs and they said it was obsolete and no parts were available. That was number one. Same thing with number two. I spent literally hours trying to get these repaired or at least find parts. I have enough of the failed gear to make one if I need to. This I can do, but I would rather not. My question is where can I find gear parts for both Lionel and Bachmann G Scale?”

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Jeff has a rather strange question for readers:

“I am looking for HO-Scale chemistry lab equipment. My layout will feature an industrial complex where I would like to have one of the buildings be a lab. I have found suitable worktables and scientist figures. The only thing I need is the actual lab equipment.”