i think most of the bachmann sets have a 4'3" circle minimum if no staights are used.  then, for each straight (1 on each side) used add about 13 inches to the legnth and it would be 4'3" x 5'4" and so on.   it just depends on how many straights you have and are going to use to figure out how big the table would be.  the easiest way to get the actual size needed is to put the track together in a circle or oval on the floor and measure it with a tape measure if you plan on building a table and also add 3 or 4 extra inches on each side and end for the loco tuning in the corners.

hanks barry.  but i'm probably not gonna line up the train.  the roustabout set is stil new.  it has never been out of the box, still factory sealed, as are about 3 or 4 or so of the other cars.  i'm probably gonna leave them like that.  but it is real good to know about the engine upgrade. thanks very much.

thanks bill.  i look forward to seeing what you come up with.  thanks again. al

 hello everyone.  i am in need of a little help.  i had some surgery done recently and to pass my time while not working i decided to go through all my trains the last few days. i got a spare bedroom full of all kinds ranging from n to g scales. anyway, i purchased the ringmaster set im guessing now right after it came out in 93. over the years i had purchased most of what i could find relating to the ekj line, most of which has never even been opened.  i will list what i have and if there is anything missing, could someone give me the item # and a possbile place to purchase if known. thanks in advance.  ok here goes.

90020 ringmaster set
         includes 91271 loco
                      98171 elephant car (yellow car with red trim)
                      98372 cage car #2 with bear and gorilla
                      97171 ad car
                      92320 ekj figure

90019 roustabout set
         includes porter loco (dont know product # if any)
                      caboose (dont know product #)
                      98374 giraffe and hippo flat
                      92320 ekj figure

98371 cage car #1 with lion and tiger ( i have 2)
98371 cage car #2 with bear and gorilla (in own box)         92381 lion figure
98172 horse car                                                               92382 tiger
98374 giraffe and hippo (in own box)                                 92383 bear
98171 elephant car (red car with yellow trim)                      92384 gorilla
92705 tableau car # 1                                                       92385 elephant
92706 tableau car # 2                                                       92386 horse
98373 calliope wagon                                                        92387 giraffe
97271 performers car # 1                                                  92388 hippo
92703 cage wagon with bear
92704 cage wagon with gorilla

i purchased the bachmann brothers line 98384 zebra car, tent car, pole car, and tanker

as of today, 1-19-12, here is what i found i know I DO NOT HAVE
97371 performers car # 2
92701 cage wagon with lion 
92702 cage wagon with tiger (bidding on one on ebay now)
would like to know about zebra figure alone if available

if i am missing something, please help me out. thanks for any help. hope everyone has a great day!