Jesse,
  Funny you should mention that... I think it was in Finescale Railroader magazine four or five years ago but there was a diorama with this scene that had been modelled and the mail sack pole was a featured item! I believe the scale was either Fn3(1:20.3) or On3. You're right though, it is a detail that is often missing when we model stations!

The diesel didn't do well AT ALL with most Spectrum buyers. Only recently did they manage to get rid of them with a "after after closeout firesale" for around $60 each! Considering the MSRP was $700 (or was that $800?) well, you can see where I'm going with this!

  Ah, it has been mentioned but only in hushed whispers!
"Officially," Bachmann is still mum about it! Johann has told us that he "...will find out what he's cleared to tell us." Obviously, the rumors that have been floating around about contractual obligations are true! If so, there's nothing Johann can do until he's cleared by people WAY higher than he is! (*Sigh)

The advice that both Matt and Nathan gave you is excellent advice! There are so many ways to go from where you are now that doing good research is a must! Check out the largescale websites as virtually every question you will have has been discussed on them! Welcome to large scale and have fun! (Pease remember to keep your hands and feet inside the vehicle at all times while the ride is in motion.  Thanks and have a pleasant ride! )

Dittos to the above comments or did we lose them when you shifted servers? 

Tom,
  Where did you find a "new" 36-ton Shay?

Yep, many thanks for the "heads up"! 

Well, I guess it's my turn to try!

Oh, c'mon! We're not afraid to call it by it's name "Voldemud!!"

Yes, thanks for posting all of those pictures with the explanations! I will be having my Heisler converted later this year by TOC and it's nice to see what is involved!

  Bachmann has stated that they will not use the new metal power trucks as warranty replacements.

Yes, that one would be very good to know! Please keep us informed as to what you find out!

  No, it's not what you think! I have already had the power trucks retro-fitted. No, what's happend is that I had my Shay out running around the layout after having the snow plowed. Unfortunately, there was a chunk of ice to the right side of the track that was hidden by the powdery snow which the snowplow was able to navigate but which the fragile plastic plate under the front running board (which practically scrapes the track) of the Shay didn't miss! 
   I understand that that the 38 ton Shay has metal rather than plastic plates (I know the Heisler does as I have one.) My question: Will these metal plates retro-fit onto the 36 ton Shay? The plastic ones are certainly fragile enough! If they will, then the next problem will be how to get some....

This would be a situation of making a "me too" product! Aristo and USA both have nearly identical track and LGB also has it's brand (slight different but still compatable with the Aristo/USA)  that have been around for decades! It really doesn't make much sense to enter a market that is already saturated with quality products.
  Personally, I would like to see Bachmann enter into some kind of agreement whereby they could include the brass track in their sets so as to avoid the inevitable confusion that arises when it's time to expand a person's layout. Also, since most of the new Spectrum locomotives require a minimum radius curvature that is larger than the 2' curves that Bachmann produces, it would seem to make sense from that aspect as well. Of course, Bachmann is probably just happy with the situation as it is.

Dan,
  That's great! I'm glad you were able to get it fixed. If you have trouble getting the proper decals I would suggest checking out Stan Cedarleaf's website:
http://gold.mylargescale.com/StanCedarleaf/WebPageDecals/CustomDecalsx.html