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Couple of weeks ago I... obtained a boxed Chatanooga Choo Choo #7332 91-0-283-T4. I was all fired up, ...and was designing my layout. I was thrilled until i took it all to the local Hobby Shop. I was told the Tyco train was good for putting on a mantel or sitting in a round house. >>> Number 1, listen to the experts, THEN get a 2nd opinion. It's what YOU want, not what they think you should have, that matters...they're trying to help (some), but they aren't in the TYco restoration business, and could care less about older equipment. The steel and brass track they said is nothing but trouble- >>> It can be, or you can use some elbow muscle to clean them up. People did it for years, so there's no reason not to, if you don't want to spend big $'s now, to use it. Should you use it for a big, permanent layout, when better materials are available? Probably not. You should start small, build a manageable layout with what you have acquired, operate it, and THEN decide if/how to build a bigger layout, with better parts. My opinion. So here i am shot down and ready to box up everything and sell on E Bay. >>> If the experts think it's no good, do you think you'll get much for it on Ebay? Track like that is almost junk for resale, don't bother. There's boxes of it unsold on Ebay ( do some research ). Again, for toy or pleasure operating, it's fine to use, if you want to build a permanent layout, I'd think twice. As far as the engines go, if the motor isn't frozen or cooked, it may just require some maintenance to get it running properly again, ie the rubber wheel friction tires that give it traction. Modern engines use magnetized wheelsets and heavy chassis's , so all you probably need is some oil and new tires for the wheels, and it'll run fine. I notice the plastic drive wheels on the tender are grooved. Is this O K or is it from sitting and spinnng from previous use? Any way to give more traction? I hope it doesn't end up on my mantel >>> That tells me that the rubber friction O-ring tires are missing. You just need new ones. Remember, with old stuff, patience is required to get them back operational. Nothings quick and easy when you have to revive older units. Those O-rings are available for sale, but you need to track them down for your model, so again , it will take some perserverence and patience on your part to accomplish the restoration to operating condition. If you suffer from Drive-thru mentality ( ie, want it now or forget it ), then sell it on Ebay. On the other hand, if you show some patience and take the time to acquire the necessary parts to fix your new engine, you can be rewarded for your efforts with a fine running engine. It's really all in what you want and can afford. Nothing wrong with the Tyco, other than it's NOT a top-of-the-line manufactured engine, but it can give you much pleasure once it's running. This is a great forum to find said parts, and get help. take some pictures of the wheels, post them here, and we'll see if we can help you. Jerry Originally posted by derfberger - June 25 2010 :  9:41:22 PM