Where are the really good train shows where you see manufacturers there and/or retailers displaying their new products?

I am new to this hobby and I was wondering if someone could address freight car quality.

I have seen prices from $8 to $30. Is there a correlation between price and quality?

And I have noticed several lines by the same manufacturer.

Are there things I should stay away from?

thanks

I lived in a small community (E. Pembroke) in Western New York and everyone called the RR that went through the village the Peanut Line. It delivered coal to the Kohorst business and may have serviced a canning factory as well.

Any suggestions on how I can research the Peanut Line and find out where it went and the owners? The NYC mainline was not that far away.

I went. Great disappointment. Spent $7 to get in. Another $4.95 on a new HO truck. Which I found on ebay tonight along with 3 others for $3.99 plus shipping or $2.29 per vehicle.

There was a lot of used and tired merchandise. Evident vendors had been trucking the stuff from show to show for years by the condition of the boxes.

No manufacturers there showing their new merchandise. Not even local internet vendors there. That says alot.

I had $250 in my pocket. Spent $4.95. Was looking for a new DCC switcher. Nothing to look at.

I won't go back.

The highlight of the show was the local train clubs that had terrific displays. Even the Live Steam group in Atlanta. Hats off to you guys for displaying!!!!

bb

I have a slew of Bachmann R and L Remote turnout switches (e.g. 44562).

They come with an 18" green wire (actually 3 wires) that attach to the rr switch and then to the remote mechanism.

18" is not enough for what I want to do on my  layout. I want to run the switch wire ~3-4 feet from the actual rr switch to the remote mechanism, then to the electical source.

Does anyone sell a longer wire with appropriate connector? Or am I going to have to splice three wires to make it longer? What a pain for so many switches.

I bought a Bachmann DDT switcher by mistake. Can someone please tell me what DDT means. And can it be converted to DCC?  thanks.

I have often wondered about tank cars.

Once a car carries a particular kind of fluid is it always dedicated to that fluid? If not, what is the process for cleaning that car.

I can see all kinds of problems using cars for multiple liquids such as  food grade liquids, acids, polymers, and the list goes on. Surely there must be FDA regs for food grade liquids. But what about using cars for multiple purposes such as acids and polymers?

And reefers. Can they carry veggies and meat as well?

Any insight?

I have a (DCC)  EZ Command Control Center and 2 locos.

Every now and then a loco will speed up and go out of control with no way to stop it except by unplugging the power to the unit. It has happened to loco #1 as well as loco #2.

Then I can't get anything to work when I plug the power  back in even though the lights come on properly (no blinking).

Then I unplug it and wait about  30 minutes then  I plug the power back in and it works fine.

Am I doing something wrong or is it a defective unit in need of repair?

I'm setting up track today and have 2 - straight 9" and 2 - 18" curved rerailers.

Are there any general guidelines on where to place the rerailers?

Can someone recommend a couple magazines for someone just getting started with HO?

Can someone please tell me the difference between these two switchers:

HO GE44 DCC Switcher

Spectrum HO GE45 DCC Switcher

Is it worth spending the extra $$ for the Spectrum? (one supplier was charging $30 more for the Spectrum)

Can someone recommend a good software program for designing buildings, especially the decorative aspect.

I am in need of a good program for materials such as siding (brick, wood, etc), roofs (shingles, tile, metal, etc.).

Also windows and doors.

I recently bought one but and I am not pleased with the quality.
Should have asked here first.

Thanks

I have this book and was wondering if anyone has had trouble building some of the layouts?

For example, on page 37 there is a layout for "Iowa Central". I am using the AnyRail computer design system and when I plug in the pieces as indicated on page 37 they just don't fit.

A closer examination of the pieces on the drawing on page 37 indicates different lengths for 18" R track in the upper left corner.

Is anyone aware of a correction to this layout?

And on page 114 there are short curved sections in the layout but do not appear below in the track materials list. What are they?

Any help would be appreciated.

Does anyone know when this assortment will be available and the retail cost?

AnyRail lists small pieces of 3/4", 1", 1 1/4", 1 1/2", and 2" sizes.

My local Bachmann dealer says they might be available in March.

Are there any other new track pieces that will be available?