Hello Chuck, fellow "newbie" here. Started my first layout in Mar 2010, and still struggling. I would be happy to help you as much as possible. I used the same program for my layout. he bottom 4 X 8 foam, Home Depot, or Lowes, about $20. Home depot also has a pack of 2 X 4 sheets of styrofoam, 3/4" thick for about $12. I use a lot of this stuff. This is my first, and only discussion board, so I'm not sure what we can discuss. You can e-mail me at: [email protected] Go ahead and attach your layout and we'll try to figure it out. My layout is on a 4 X 8 also.

Thanks, D, The Bachmann 4-4-0 was my second choice for a DCC with sound. After looking at closeups of the 4-4-0, and the 4-6-0 I just preferred the 4-6-0 looks. This being my FIRST train I went for looks, rather than true prototype. I couldn't find any information on performance comparison... but had never heard of this discussion board. I recently went to a Train Show, out here, in Arkansas and all these die-hard enthusiasts had very little good to say about the Bachmann product. Again, being new, I went with this product because of price, selection, and overall looks. Maybe the product won't hold up to 8 hours a day running, but if a $130 DCC locomotive, with sound, should fail after a couple of years, I'll just buy another. Those $500 to $1,000 prices scare me. Thanks, again, for the info. 

Thanks, again, Blink_182_Fan.  You must have missed my earlier reply, to you. The caboose looked nice, just needs repainting. I Did notice the water car, while looking at the caboose. I thought, if the tanks are removable, that I could easily convert them to "boilers". As for your 4-4-0, what about the Bachmann DCC with, or without, sound. It is available unlettered with steel, or wood cab. You could also use another road name, and re-decal the locomotive. The 4-4-0 is even available in their standard DC model. Thanks, again, for the suggestions.

Thanks for the info, jward. I had no idea there would be so many responses. This is my first discussion board. Your right about the 50' lengths, and steel for this era. That was why I started asking about the Bachmann flat car length. As I had mentioned previously, my consist would only be the locomotive, tender, and two, or three cars, and possibly a caboose. All are wood styles. I had tried my Bachmann 2-8-0 with tender and four cars from a train set on my temporary layout forward and reverse before disassembling the track and starting the scenery construction. The train appeared tom operate properly, in all directions... but then again, this is my FIRST train. Too late to change layout as I already have 100lbs of hydrocal, 12 packs of risers and inclines, eight 2' X 4' sheets of Styrofoam, two Sunday morning newspapers, and 173 mini hot glue sticks.  Next layout I'll stay within the 18" to 22" curves. Thanks, again, Cyber. 

Thanks Blink_182_Fan, Yes, the description says "Super-Heavyweight". Maybe I'll just add a few overweight passengers, and a trunk full of bowling balls in the combine. I looked up the caboose you mentioned. It's the same length as the coaches. I guess I'll have to add a, cast iron, pot-belly stove for added weight in the caboose. Thanks, again.
P.S. - an "old-fogie" like me prefers Peter, Paul & Mary, or Chicago ... but these differences are what keeps the railroad running.

Thanks ABC Perhaps, if I "EVER" get to a point that I can place the track on my layout, I'll try finding one of these kits. Surely it can't be nearly as difficult to assemble as the trestle bridge.

Thank You, Mr. J.B.J. for all that info.  As I mentioned earlier I'm new to this.  I'm not even sure I'm replying correctly. I have two Mantura D&RG coaches, everything else is Bachmann. I never heard of "Shoty's", or "Bobbers". I also haven't attempted a "kit" yet. I mainly wanted a flat car to haul "boiler". Bachmann has one on a depressed 52' car. I thought it would look appropriate for my layout (Durango & Silverton" Colorado) If I can't find a boiler, perhaps I could make one out of PVC or similar material. I saw a 40' flat car from another mfg. but, from the photo, the quality doesn't look near as nice as the Bachmann product.

Thank You, for the length. I saw that some of the flat cars were 52', but they appeared to have additional trucks. I was hoping this car was near the 40' length. I think the 52' might bind, and certainly wouldn't look realistic, even if it DID make the curve. I have both a 2-8-0, which seems to work fine, on the "TEMPORARY" layout.  I also purchased a 4-6-0, with sound, but haven't tried it yet.  I am in the midst of constructing the permanent layout now. Mountains, Rivers, Tunnel, etc. The tunnel is 5 sections of 18" curves.  I had to lay down the foam roadbed, track, and ballast in the tunnel so I could cover it, and contine with the Mountain Scenery. I installed a removable center section above the tunnel in case I need to gain access to the tunnel interior. I have a track feeder, and a single LED light soldered to the track in the tunnel interior. After the ballast was dry, and cleaned off the track I attached the power and tried the 2-8-0 with tender to make sure the solder didn't cause any "bumps" or other problems. Everything seems fine, at this point. My BIG obstacle now is how to attach my trestle bridges. (six needed - three straight, between 5" and 10", and two curved, between 15" and 20"). I already have the Bents built, but now I need to figure out how to attach the stringers, and braces. The trestle bridge was probably too big a project for a beginner, but it fits the time period, and I really like the looks when complete.

I am NEW to Model Railroading, and even newer to a discussion board. If this is a dumb question, I apologize. Can someone tell me what the length, or scale length, of the Bachmann 18904 HO Flat Car is. I have searched everywhere on the internet and cannot find this information. My layout consists mainly of 18" curves, but I do have three 15" curved sections connected together. I am trying to find out if this Flat Car will operate on this layout, without binding. The time period for my layout will be from the late 1800's to the, very early 1900's. The steam locomotive will normally be pulling the tender, a combine, one, or two, passenger coaches, the flat car, (if possible), and a caboose. The maximum incline is 4%, if that matters. Thank You.