Thank you both, The switches are LGB, and every time I have won track they have come with switches. Now have a controller coming for these. The problem is It makes me re consider the layout and it gets bigger. . I thought that was the case on power packs. Not use to this stuff. For years had American flyer and the Lionel KZ transformers.

I assume that the standard power pack that comes with the sets will need to be upgraded to handle switches that I bought, any suggestions

What a great idea the bird houses thank you

Thank You, I guess I will have to sneak in a subscription to that magazine when the bride is not around

Thanks for the help, and fine advice , gentlemen. I am going to build up the area in question, lay out the track, and run the equipment. If all works fine I will pull the track up and lay in the roadbed. The Loco's that I will be running are the Bachmann 460's tho I do have an old LGB set from the early 80's that I bought at the York meet

No more than five including the tender

At this time I am looking to add buildings to my layout that is under construction. I have found Pico has a line, are there any kits available? Keep in mind this is an outdoor rail road in the deep south, so we have lots of sun..Thank You

At this time I am going to use the Bachmann steam sets, and use track power. At first I will do the circle thing with one siding (back in) and one pull through siding.

I have got track on order, and several bags of crush rocks standing by. The spot I want to place the track has about a three inch drop over six feet. Will this grade be too much, or do I need to build it up. Thank You

Thank You Bill for that info

Hate to be a pest, but I was going through the attic looking to see how much brass track I had up there, and ran across a Emmit Kelly Jr. Circus set, any Idea when this was made? I guess I thought it was neat because I ran across two more tenders for this and another cage car. Also a logging car with logs..I looks as if I might have the rolling stock down for the Garden railroad. I guess is the Circus set to valuable to play with? Thank You

Thank You, trying to do the garden railroad thing, As being retired all ways looking to save money. But as much as this stuff cost, I do not want make that kind of mistake

Are any of the brass tracks brands interchangeable, IE LGB, Pico  Thank You

1998 Would be about right I think I bought it in Silverton Colorado

While going through the Attic trying to locate track, I ran across a Bachmann set that I bought years ago. It is a Union Pacific set number 12 on the loco that is a 4 6 0 with a cattle car and a bobber caboose . Can any one shed some light on this one?