The Dollars buying power will go up and down . Sometimes it hinders some times it helps different sectors .  But Living beyond your means is always unwise. Having said that , we probably should  clean house in Washinton DC much more often and not elect incompetent self-serving BS artists. Regarding  sound systems : I can't see the need . I have worked in manufacturing plants for over  30 years and don't yearn for more noise. If I wish to hear train noises , I just open a window or go outside . I live on Rairoad Street in Marengo ,IL across the street from a  UP/CNW freight line going west to Belvidere. Trains come and go every 3 or 4 Hours loaded with auto containers.  I even saw  UP's demonstration train go buy. Check out theirweb site for more info.

I asked  Bachmann about  E-Z Track Planing and Layout  and was told that it will not be in the marketplace until late June /early July , 2008 . I have had a copy on order since before  Thanksgiving 2007 . I saw that the book was supposed to exist since the hobby show in  Rosemont . I was going to ask Bachmann ; Why they did not have a track planning Book like the ones that Atlas  Publishes .  I have several of their books and they are well written  and quite informative.

You could use the switches  made by Atlas  for turnout control . They can be purchased seperately , and are made to accept bare wire .  When wiring these switches , I would suggest checking  their function before either crimping or soldering the wires into a terminal and fastening under the screw. Your other option would be to use a terminal block to seperate and combine the leads  and use one  spliced connector to feed one switch.