Help with mixing new and old gear.

That sounds like a generic statement on a box that may not apply. If it’s a dummy, it’s probably just plain dumb. If there is a light bulb in it, the easiest thing to do, if youre concerned about blowing the bulb, would be to simply open it up and pull the bulb. Without anything to complete the circuit, nothing will happen. I have this set, if you have 6 cars and add a dummy locomotive, just be aware you may be approaching the traction limit of that locomotive. I have the 5 cars (3 from set and the add on baggage and dome) + a B unit from some previous set iteration and that’s about all I would try and pull with it on level track. It doesn’t always sound happy at low speeds.

Thanks for the response. I did exactly that today. I pulled the bulb and will run it that way.  I’m ordering a 18v replacement for future use as advised by others.

Also you brought up something that I hadn’t considered. I actually have 6 passenger cars with passengers behind the FT. The Dummy FT would be a considerable added weight. I will make sure to reduce the number of cars when I run the ‘dummy’ unit. I don’t want to wear out traction tires prematurely nor do I want to stress the powered A Unit. Thanks.

When i got this set, plus the add on cars, i got a second set at a real deal, Kohl’s when you could use the 30% coupons.  Sold everything except the engine, came out even.  Switched the wires on the second engine so i could run the ABA with two A units facing opposite but controlled by single remote.