Lt. - Having lived in New York for a few years, I know of the "characters" you mention and they aren't just in the train stores.
I was so happy to move back to Missouri where people are friendlier. There are folks who thrive on the "cold rat race" environment, but I just didn't feel all warm and fuzzy up there.

Neo - I'm down in Park Hills, just North of Farmington.
Good luck in your design. I just wanted to give you a little inspiration :-)

Maybe this will get your creative juices flowing -


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I hope everyone has a prosperous one!

Do you have an access hole in the center of the layout? Or how will you reach things in the center without leaning on the layout?

Hunt -
All of my Bachmann old time 4-4-0's have traction tires.
Surely you're not suggesting I get rid of all my Bachmann 4-4-0's (That will out pull a whole lot of other bigger locos) and buy another brand.

To add to that - Shouldn't authorized Bachmann dealers at least know the basics about the track they are selling?

AZ is right about the track, except they are both code 100.
Both are interchangeable.
Sounds like the old guy still has a lot of black track to unload and you're his prime candidate.

Ahhhh.....But how many people buy trains for their children who are known to put things in their mouth?

CNE- I have friends who live just down the road from Hopewell Junction. I've been through there a few times on my way to visit them.

With regard to space - Generally, the newer the era - the bigger/longer the equipment (cars/locos).
I like the pre-1900's because you can have more equipment in a small space because the cars and locos were shorter. With shorter ones you can have smaller radius curves.

If you want to spike it down, add a little history and head out to Tremonton Utah and walk the roadbed of the old Transcontinental railroad. You can find old used spikes along the roadbed. I did.

db -
I know a whole lot of folks who don't use the internet and have no desire to use the internet.
I would buy a catalog, even though I use the internet. It's much easier to pick up a catalog and look at something than it is to go boot up the computer and wait.

What size layout and what size equipment?

I like the snow filled gondola