Same here. I was probably 11 or 12 when I was using old 110VAC Christmas lights to put under the snap together plastic buildings that we had for our American Flyer train set.

I think I found my answers on another website.  Thank you.

With the increase of online shopping, it gets more difficult for brick and mortar stores to stay open. I went to the ONE hobby store that we have in our area and he is no longer carrying any model train stock. He has paints and some scenery, but that's it.

These are for the Santa Fe line. Really what I am looking for is the correct placement on the passenger car itself.
I know that this is a Bachmann FAQ, but seriously? BTW - I'm pulling the cars with a Bachmann EMD FT-A locomotive, if that helps.

So I purchased three Walthers Mainline passenger cars (Budd Baggage Lounge, Sleeper and Dome Coach) and was happy to find that each one came with decals. I notice that the decal kits are different for each car. I would like to be as authentic as possible and try to find out which numbering scheme I should use as well as the proper placement.
I notice that the Dome coach has a 500 series decals, where the Baggage Lounge has 1380 series decals. Does it matter which number in the series that I use?

I am planning a new HO layout that will include about 10-12 buildings, some street lights, etc...
I've been researching and watching videos about lighting systems and I am wondering whether I should design and build my own system or buy a pre-configured system such as Woodland Scenics "Just Plug".
I am a very accomplished DIY person and comfortable working with electricity. As a kid I was wiring 120 VAC lights for my old American Flyer train layout.
Just wondering what everyone's experience is. I like the idea of being flexible with my own system.

Based on suggestions, I modified my layout into an outer loop using Bachmann 22"/22.5 deg curved track and the inner loop will remain with Bachmann 18"/30 deg curved track.
I plan on using passenger cars that are specifically compatible with 18" radius track.

JWard - BTW, I was born in PGH on the Southside.  My grandfather worked at J&L Steel.

As a kid, I built a lot of model cars and had a large selection of Testors model paints.
Is that still a good option for touching up plastic building models?

I hope this process works. I'm attaching a .PNG file of my proposed HO train layout as designed with SCARM.
The left vertical length  is 8' long and the top horizontal length is 10' long.
Comments and suggestions are appreciated.

Thank you!

I'm new to the HO size train systems. I'm designing a two track layout with all of my curves using 18"/30 deg Bachmann E-Z track.
I plan on having both freight and passenger trains.
My question is will I have any issues with longer passenger cars, like the Rapido Budd Baggage-Dorm or similar?

Thank you.  It looks like you can select the correct size (HO) when you order them.

Very helpful Ralph.  Thank you.

Has anyone had experience with the BK building kits?  It looks like they are made of some kind of foam board. Very realistic as they are photo imprinted.

I'm a new owner of the Bachmann Digital Commander (00501) train set and I am trying to find information on the purpose/use of the I/O Port on the E-Z Command Plus DCC Controller. My plan is to build my own benchwork and expand the track layout using DCC turnouts. Also looking for information on compatible sound cards since the supplied train engines only have lights.
Based on my limited experience with this product it seems that the Bachmann Trains website is very short on detailed information.
Any help is greatly appreciated.