Joe you said "This suggests that ringfield motors run on 2-3v even though the DC controller is sending 12v down the track?" The DC controller starts by sending zero volts to the track then as you turn the knob the voltage increases. When it gets to 1 or 2 volts the motor starts turning. When it gets to 12 it will be going pretty fast. My controller has a maximum of 13.8 volts but only when the knob is turned to maximum, which it never is with a loco on the track.