I'd suggest Tony's Train Xchange. 
Gene

Are you saying that the video is making people NOT buy the newest MTH offering?  (I think the new standards of behavior prevent me from commenting on my thoughts on MTH's offerings.)
Gene

I have both cork roadbed and Woodland Scenics foam roadbed on my layout.   As much as I like Woodland Scenics, I'll never use their roadbed again.  Cork is much, much better. 
I'd suggest a reasonably thin sheet of foam insulation under the track.  This has the advantage of being easily cut for streams, underpasses, and such.
Gene

Dakota, Missouri Valley & Western (DVMW)
Red River Valley & Western Railroad (RRVW)

I wonder how the RRV&W is handling the flooding?

Gene

You know, JiF, I'm not insisting on a thing.  But as GG says, soot is black and oil residue is - slimy.  Big difference.  In addition, while soot may get on buildings. bridges, tunnel portals, etc, it doesn't stay on vehicles, animals, people, streams, trees, flower beds, walks, streets - get the picture? 
I've never heard anybody claim that smoke oil residue helps either electrical conduction or traction on track. 
Gene

Sorry - I'm not in Alabama, but we may be taking grandkids to a time share in Alabama this summer.  My wife's middle sister lives outside of Bessemer and the time share is 50 miles from Bessemer close to the Talladega National Forest - south.   
Gene

You are both correct.  In the latter, I was trying to apply the KISS rule. 
Gene

Speaking of missing members - what happend to Lanny?
Gene

I hope you are aware that the smoke is generally a detriment to your layout.  It's oil and when it cools and falls back down, it leaves a residue.  This gums up the tracks and makes the scenery tacky. 
Gene

Mixed radii is called "easement."  From the straight, use one section of 22", then 18", with the last piece being another 22."  You can do the same thing with other radii.  But DON'T do the reverse. 
So what is the problem with roadbed and flex-track.  The one thing I'll say about flex track is that my experience shows a problem using it with tight radii.  I think that tighter than 24" you may be best off with sectional track.
Gene

No, it will cause a derailment.  The misaligned tops of the track come from one rail sitting on TOP of the rail joiner, instead of INSIDE it.  You MUST get the rail inside the joiner. 
Gene

Ray - What part of Alabama?  We may be about 50 miles SE of Bessemer in Alabama. 
Gene

The house I'm thinking about is the old Revell/Heljin/Con-Cor farm house kit, with house, shed, chicken coop, and outhouse.  The house itself is obviously wood plank.  The one reason for painting it something other than white is that what's called for - protect it from being the same color as every other kit of its type.   I guess it would be possible to cover the walls with shingles or something like that, but that's more than I want to do. 
I need to find a barn for it - but I think I know where that'll come from.
Gene

All sound decoders I know of have a list of CVs and what they do and the values for the CV.
Gene

Our local hobby shops are drying up.  I've bought from them when they were open, but the closest one now is 20 miles away.  One is a chain with all MSRP, and no great selection of what I need, and the other is mostly plastic airplanes.  I used to go to the Naval Base hobby shop, but after 9/11 they redid the roads on base and getting to it makes me think I'm trying to avoid torpedoes.  One other gives a discount to NMRA members, but only if you pay cash - maybe check. 
Gene