My first electric train was Lionel. Christmas 1948. I came back into the hobby in the early 1970's. (HO) As I recall, Lionel made a pretty substantial effort to enter the HO market in the mid 1970's. One of their offerings, was a GE U 18 B. What was rather unique about this model was the fact that it was powered by a modified GE electric razor motor.  Well, I bought one, and it might be my imagination, but that little unit almost sounded like the prototype U 18 as it rolled over my layout. Still have the unit, and it still runs. I'm going to go and check the new Lionel website in a few minutes.

Welcome back to a fascinating past time. When all the smoke clears and the dust settles, it's your railroad.  You build these layouts one step at a time. Sure, your passenger cars will look pretty good runing behind the engine you purchased. Bachmann Spectrum equipment is good stuff too. Your wheel arrangement is primarily freight, but as one guy noted once, "look around enough, you'll find a prototype for everything". As you get more deeply involved in the hobby, you'll aquire additional engines/rolling stock. In the meantime, have a ball, and welcome back!!

Well, for the second time tonight, I'm plugging Walthers again. They offer a sixty foot coach, and I believe they also offer an RPO and a Baggage car. The cars are good lookers, and are offered in several road names. My personal thought would be to check a dealer offering Walthers products before I went the E-Bay route. Warranty-returns come to mind.

Have one Peter Witt car. Excellent runner!!

Walthers currently offers a pretty extensive line of urban buildings. These come as either built up, or kits. And, thanks to the Bachman for his continued courtesy in allowing a forum member to "plug" another manufacturer's offering. Hope this helps you some.

In a word, Quality. I have several Spectrum locomotives, steam and diesel. Excellent performers.

LA cars are in the yellow/green/white of LARY successor, Los Angeles Transit Lines. Beautiful painting and lettering by Bachmann.

I use Code 83 exclusively. Most of the experts seem to recommend it. When all is said and done, it's your railroad. You run what you want.

Two words come to mind concerning lubricating HO locomotives.
1) Carefully
2) Sparingly.
Also be very careful that any lubricants you use are compatible with plastic.

Just recieved my first Peter Witt car. Lettered/painted for Los Angeles Transit Lines. Beautiful job across the board. Would love to see some upgraded PCC's in both pre-war air-electric and post war P-3 all electric. Offer them in the same schemes as the Peter Witts,and I believe Bachmann will have another winner.

I still purchase quite a bit of Athearn equipment, including Blue Box. Haven't seen any cow-calf switchers offered though.  That doesn't mean they don't exist.In addition to E-Bay, I'd do some hobby shop checks to see if any might be in stock. You could also ask Athearn directly via their website. Hope you can find the units.

I've never specifically modeled the Pennsylvania Railroad, but I've heard it said, it had at least one of everything. That's not true in the literal sense, but the Pennsy had a wide variety of motive power and rolling stock. Arguably, it's most famous train was the Broadway Limited. Apart from the legendary GG-1, in the diesel era, the Broadway usually rated EMD E Units. I don't claim to be an expert on the Pennsy, but I do know they operated a wide variety of passenger equipment from commuter to first class . Motive power was equally varied. That variety is one of the elements that makes the Pennsylvania such a fascinating railroad.

My suggestion would be for you to consider joining a railroad museum. I don't wish to sound  like I'm recruiting, but I'm a member of a museum that has two operating steam locomotives, and one awaiting restoration. As noted, the costs/problems involved in obtaining a steamer, then restoring it, and returning it to operating condition can be considerable. There are numerous Federal regulations and standards that must be adhered to, and inspections and recertifications are constant. Membership in an operating museum can possibly involve you in a project with a steam locomotive. That would include all the frustrations and rewards associated with obtaining, restoring and operating it.

In addition to the upgrades mentioned. How about some additional color schemes? Los Angeles Railway successor, Los Angeles Transit Lines ran PCC cars in the yellow/green scheme. I know this would be a tooling issue, but a double ended PCC would be great as well. The Pacific Electric Railway in Los Angeles operated Pullman built double ended PCCs, as did the San Francisco Municipal Railway. I believe there has long been a need for moderately priced, high quality "traction" models. Bachmann has broken ground in this market with the Peter Witt car. Upgraded PCCs and Birneys would seem a natural follow up.

I've been an MR subscriber for over 10 years, and enjoy each issue. Certainly, some are better than others, but in general I enjoy what seems to be genuine friendliness on the part of the staff and regular contributors.I plan to renew my subscription for years to come.