You'll probably hear from people on both sides of the fence on this one. I guess it depends on how finicky you are.
I like EZ track. For me, it's much easier to plan layouts because I do it as I go rather than sit down and draw up a plan. The locks on the ends allow this.
I sit down and try layout ideas on the floor.
I'm one of those who doesn't want to spend hours making my own bed.
On the other hand, you have more flexibility with flex track

Great job on the church Kyle!

Robin,
Thanks for the info. We used to do some our training operations out of El Toro.

Is that the former "Western White House" in San Clemente?
When I was at Camp Pendleton, we used to get our weekend liberty canceled some times.
When there was word of a demonstration to take place there, they would load us up on 6-bys and truck us under the highway to the WWH on the other side.
We'd have to spend the weekend over there, prepared to do riot control.

If it's Bachmann's reversing trolley set with the shed, maybe you can try this -
Try another loco on the trackage, then try the trolley on a separate section of track that's not hooked up to the reversing set.
If a loco runs fine on the trolley track, then it could be the trolley at fault.
If the trolley runs fine on different track, then it could be the trolley track.
When I did this, the trolley ran fine on other track and the loco didn't run very well on the trolley track.
That meant it the trolley set up was the culprit.
On the Bach Man's advice, I tried a different "plug in" black box and it worked fine.

Just a thought - When I started using foam on layouts, I quit using plaster.
I was able to carve the foam into what I wanted and didn't need the plaster.
I did use Woodland Scenics foam putty in some places where I needed it.
My objective was keeping the weight down and portability of the layout.
This might not work for everyone.

Kevin - I agree all the way. Black is the way to go. Great job.

Semper Fi - Do or die.

I think all of Abdill's books are great. Some of the best I've seen for historical railroading.

Between Federal Mill #3 and the chat pile in Park Hills MO.

Jim,
I can relate to that. I'm in Park Hills, on the other side of the state from you. I have to drive 70 miles to St. Louis or use the internet for train stuff. There's a little shop a few miles down the road, but it's a lot of arts and crafts and few train items.

I hit the wrong tag.

Your railroad is your fantasy. Do you want it to please yourself or to please others?
Or both? This is one hobby where you can "Have it your way".
I realize you're not doing a Christmas layout, but who says everything has to be totally accurate and in one scale? If it pleases you, go for it.
I'm happy with mine and others who see it are pleased as well.
http://www.sarget.com/trains/xmlayout-06/xm-06-a40c.JPG

I like calling in airstrikes the best.

Thanks. I was just curious.