Looking for ideas - help!  Received an Empire Builder set as a Christmas gift - my first train.  Built a layout modeled after p.21 (Bachman Getting Started - Building Your Layout) effectively 3' x 4'.  I have track laid on 2" foam covered in Bachmann Grass Mat.  Very frustrated by derailments of the loco.  I have added a bridge and an auto RR crossing in my layout.  I've examined the track again and again at the connections and believe they are pretty smooth.  Loco seems to hesitate at the bridge and RR crossing, but the derailments generally happen at the turnouts.  I'm lucky if I can get two complete circuits before off the track, running just the loco without freight cars.  My next move is to take out the bridge and RR crossing and see if performance improves.  Appreciate any ideas.

Looking for ideas - help!  Received an Empire Builder set as a Christmas gift - my first train.  Built a layout modeled after p.21 (Bachman Getting Started - Building Your Layout) effectively 3' x 4'.  I have track laid on 2" foam covered in Bachmann Grass Mat.  Very frustrated by derailments of the loco.  I have added a bridge and an auto RR crossing in my layout.  I've examined the track again and again at the connections and believe they are pretty smooth.  Loco seems to hesitate at the bridge and RR crossing, but the derailments generally happen at the turnouts.  I'm lucky if I can get two complete circuits before off the track, running just the loco without freight cars.  My next move is to take out the bridge and RR crossing and see if performance improves.  Appreciate any ideas.

New to railroading w/Empire Builder set.  Read about installing "magnet" on EZ track, if one was included, otherwise order a magnet.  Do I need a magnet and why?  Thanks for response.

New to railroading.  Received a Empire Builder set (N) and going to have a 2-1/2'x4' track layout.  Will be setting this on a little used desk, so I'll have plenty of support.  Initially I was going to lay track on 1/2" plywood and cover w/Bachmann Grass Mat.  Now, after doing some reading base material, I'm ready to ditch the plywood idea and go with a base of 2' rigid foam insulation - actually thinking of gluing 2-2" sections (32"x48") together to give some additional height, then still covering (tacking) with the Grass Mat.  Think this base will give me plenty of support and should I need to move my layout, I can geltly pick the whole thing up and move over to the bed temporarily.  Any thoughts or cautions?

Hi!  New to model RR - just received an Empire Builder set.  Ordered a Light Mountain loco, DCC controller, some track, and a couple of additional cars.  Probably will stay with an oval, single track layout of about 48"x24".  Wondering if there is any rule of thumb for what is a reasonable number of cars/engine or length of train/track?

New to training - just received an Empire Builder set.  Ordered a couple of additional Bachmann cars and they arrived with (knuckle - ?) couplers different than what is on the cars of the Empire Builder set.  Do all couplers need to be the same?  Set included a pack of RAPIDO couplers.

Hello - new to training!  Just received an Empire Builder set.  I have ordered via Amazon an additional loco (4-8-2 Light Mountain DCC Sound Value) along w/some additional track, a couple of other railcars, etc. for my layout.  Have I missed something?  I plan to swap locos from time to time - space limited.  Do I need and special controller for my new "sound" loco?