I got into the train barn to get a saw to cut down some trash trees in the 1:1 world.  I wore my C&O 50ton hopper t-shirt and got stopped by a guy in the commissary.  He had worked as a gandy dancer in college and a relative worked for the SP.  Unfortunately, he likes Big Boys.... 
Gene

Shade Gap was there the last time I was there. 
Bob, did they used to turn on a wye at Mount Union?  Is it possible to restore it?  Seems to me, that in the worst case, all they need do is reverse the locomotive.
I wonder what the high school kids will think of a steam train crossing their campus?   
Gene

AFAIK, the C&O relettered the PM Berkshires to Chesapeake & Ohio, but left then numbered as per PM.  Then any Mikado that had a conflicting number was retired/put in reserve.  About the only visible difference between the PM Berks and the C&O Kanawhas was the placement of the headlight and the pony itself.  The infamous placement of the C&O donut on tenders of Kanawhas came from one PM Berk that had it painted on. 
Gene

Jersry,
I have two of the Bachmann Standard 0-6-0s.  They run very well.  The front coupler problem was handled in the manner described earlier. 
Gene

I have the C&O George Washington set and the lights work on DCC. 
About the seller:  I don't know him, but when he calls 13 cars "trains," I figure he doesn't know very much.  When he sells two combines and two observation cars in the same set, I 'm sure he doesn't know much.  Coaches can be renumbered, but I don't know of any U.S. train that had two combines and/or two observation cars. 
Gene

Easy method.  Buy a Proto 2000 USRA 0-6-0.  Find, buy, aquire a single axle pony truck and mount it at the front of the 0-6-0.  You now have a DCC ready/DCC sound onboard Bachmann 2-6-0.  AND it has an operating front coupler.
Gene

It's a good idea not to post the same message on two boards.  It only adds confusion.   
Gene

Does the locomotive have a fake front coupler?  Do the rear trucks look really short or out of place under the cab?  Is the firebox larger in diameter than the boiler?  Will the locomotive run by itself - without the tender?
If the answers are yes, it appears that you have an old Bachmann 2-8-0 "kitbashed" into a 2-8-2 and matched with a Standard or Spectrum tender.  However, since you say the tender wheels are plastic, it's possible somebody has put a decoder in the Vanderbildt tender that came with the 2-8-0/2-8-2 kitbash. 
Gene

You MIGHT be able to get a pilot from Proto 2000 for their 0-6-0 which can be kitbashed to the Bachmann 0-6-0.  Might be easier to buy a Bachmann 2-6-2.
Gene

Brad,
I don't use EZ-Track for my layout,  but I think you can save a lot of money and time by drilling two holes through the roadbed and the subroadbed and then run your feeder wires through the holes, solder them to the OUTSIDE of the rails, and then attach them to the buss.  I agree, soldering is the best method.  I don't insulate the connections, but I separate them by several inches so they can not short.  As noted, having a feeder every four to six feet is a good idea - especially with sectional track as opposed to flex track. 
Also, as noted, make sure you don't confuse the wires.  I'd suggest getting two colors and use one color for one rail and one for the other.  When in doubt, move your finger around on the track to make sure you have the correct rail. 
Gene

Paul,
I'd have to look at my partial box - but more than 100 1/4 oz. weights. A full box is HEAVY.
Gene

Trainworld and Standard Hobby Supply get about 90% of my mail order/online shopping. 
Gene

I learned long ago to file the paint off the shank of Kadee couplers.  However, the #148 looks like it has some raised portions.  Should I file the #148, or leave the paint on it?
Gene

It doesn't take up as much room.
Gene

The Walthers KIT turntables from all reports are total dogs.  The already assembled with motor and control ones, OTOH, arse super - or at least the 130 foooter is.  Sweet. 
Gene