Mark..No worries, I didn't think that everyone had time at work to keep checking this forum all day. Thanks for the input about your experience. I'm investigating the dcc thing to figure out how far to dive in so to speak. Seems you can spend as much as you want on those systems.

Renniks...thanks for taking the time for the layout. I'm going to modify what I have to get a layout like that. I'll have to go through and inventory what track I have versus what you show. I ended up with several pieces left over from my original project so I may be close. I'll have to get my assistant involved and get his OK,    BTW...Is there a way to either print that layout from the forum so I can read it or could you send it directly to me?

I was wondering if you were running dcc. We are running dc right now. Thought about adding another power pack and gapping the inside from the outside to run two trains. But thought maybe just go ahead and get a dcc setup. Which dcc system are you using?

Like mf5117 says this is a starting point for us. As long as we don't have too much trouble with this layout I'm going to go with it for a bit. I put it on a 4x8 sheet of plywood so it would take a little work to lengthen it out to 9'. After doing this layout the thing I really don't like and I didn't think thru enough (since I don't know much there was actually very little thought) before doing it is the fact that you have to reverse the train to get from the outside track to the inside track. I think for my son it would be better if you could simply drive thru a switch back to the inside rail.

Eric...Thanks I'll do a search

Jeff...You've hit exactly the situation for the derailments. I'll give your suggestions a try.

I just called it that because someone else did when I first posted about this page of layouts. Didn't mean to confuse, sorry. Even though I never figured out the piece that is labeled "(1) BachmannEZ inch straight" I was able to get a layout done and all the pieces seem to fit as they should. No odd gaps or twists. I guessed it was a 1" piece and was planning to cut a piece. Only issue I've had is the turnout in the spur on the right sometimes causes a derailment when backing across it when the switch is in the straight position.

Jim...Sorry I wasn't clear earlier. We have a Bachmann train set that came with the basic circle of 18" radius EZ track. So far he really enjoys it but like most 5 yr old kids his attention span is a little shorter than Dad would like.

My son and I got our layout put together last night. Everything went smoothly with no real problems. Kinda roughly laid in the switches for several of the turnouts so he could see how those are going to work. We had a lot of fun last night switching our train from track to track and backing it down the spurs. Gonna have to start working on the control setup now.

Just wanted to thank you guys for the encouragement in my other thread.

Here's the link to the layout...we built the second one down on the right.

http://www.thortrains.net/marx/funlayez1.html

This is a little far afield of my original question, but I was wondering whether you guys thought I should buy my stuff from the local guy (who'll have to order everything in) or buy it online and save the money? Looks like I can save at least 25% ordering online. Best I can tell the local guy is putting the SRP on everything.

Robert...I looked on youtube and wasn't sure which videos. Overload as usual. If you could send me the links that would be great. Thanks.

Wow...I was gone for the weekend and missed all the replies.

Not sure what the Marx layouts are? After looking at the thor site a little more I've decided to build one from this page:

http://www.thortrains.net/marx/funlayez1.html

Probably just start with the one on the upper left. Nevermind about the Marx thing, figured it out when I pasted the link. I had noticed that these were really close to the edge, may try to do a larger table for it. I had visions of engines and cars diving off the table. 

I'm using dc control now, do I need to do any special wiring on this layout? What is a good reference book for me to use to learn about wiring?

Jim...Thanks for the info about switches and turnouts.

Thanks for the input and the links. That'll help a bunch. There's a lot of good info. May go with a more involved layout, not sure yet. Don't want the first one to be too confusing for my son.

Tyler...I hadn't paid too much attention to the scenery, was more concerned with finding a different layout that does something besides go in a circle. Maybe I could add a bridge, my son already found those at the shop and really wanted to get one. Any thoughts on the 1.5" track? Also are turnouts and switches the same thing?

Since I don't have much tied up in track (12 curves, 4 straights) would I be better to use a different type track?

I've got a couple of questions that are probably really simple. I did a search and didn't find anything so I'm gonna ask. Bear with me, I'm new to this.
I was looking at the the layouts at this page

http://www.thortrains.net/marx/kdlayhoa.html

I was going to attempt one of these so my 5 yr old would have something besides an oval. Thinking that the second one down is the one we want to try. In the materials list they reference Atlas True Track but I want to use EZ Track since we already have several pieces. Is the 30 degree curve the same as the EZ 18" curve? Can I substitute for the 1.5" pc or do I need to plan on cutting a pc of EZ track for that piece? Lastly, this won't require any tricky wiring will it?

Flawless... Not likely I'd say, especially with a small child involved. I'll just get another one and mark this up as a lesson learned.

Since it won't matter if it doesn't go quite right is there an easy way to get this engine opened up?

Thanks for taking the time and the input.

May have been stuck for a while, not sure the length of time. I was getting ready for church and he was playing with the train. Yes, the engine was running on about 70 on the controller. I wondered if the motor being damaged may be a possibility. It won't go in reverse now.

Is it worth replacing the motor or should I just get another engine?

Thanks.

Thanks for the input. I realize it doesn't need to run wide open but its gotten slower as the day has gone on and now is maybe only going 10% of what it was when first got it. Tried cleaning the track with no results and am in the process of cleaning the engine.

Cody--Thanks for the input on the Thunderbolt. Unfortunately a little late for me on purchasing this one. I just want to make this work for now so my 5 yr old doesn't lose interest. He was really excited to move to something besides the wooden Thomas set.