Re: HO Power pickup question

Jay1028 wrote:
> I have a caboose (HO) that I would like to light up.  It has plastic
> wheels.  I have been looking around for metal wheels that will get the
> power from the track but non have wires attached.  Just metal wheels.
> How do I get power from the track with the metal wheels do I have to
> replace the trucks?
> Thanks
> 
> jay

The first question is:
If the wheels are metal, are the two metal wheels jointed by a metal 
axle. If so then this will short across the rails and glow the power 
supply.   Of course, don't do this.

Normally something like one wheel is plastic and one is metal, or both 
are metal but the axle is mounted in a plastic center to insulate it 
from one wheel.
Either way, you can lay a small brass leaf like contact on the axle and 
pick up power from one rail on one truck and reverse the other truck so 
you pick up power from the other rail.     Or some combo of this in some 
fa****on.