I'm planning to convert from On3 to On30, primarily to take advantage of the great products available from Bachmann.  I have reviewed the Message Board and researched the Interet but have a few lingering questions:

1) I gather that the smaller locomotives such as the Climax, Shay, Porter and Forney will operate dependably on curves with radii as short as 18 inches but that, aestetically, 24 inch radii should be the minimum.  Is this correct?

2) I want to start with the Shay using both DCC and sound but it's not clear to me from the Bachmann web site which products are required for this.  What do I need to get started?

3) What size rail is recommended for Bachmann products?

4) What is the recommended minimun turnout size?

Any help would be much appreciated