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.

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.

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?

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.

So I'm using the free version of the SCARM software to design my track layout using Bachmann track.
I have two small imperfections (according to the software) where my track ends are just slightly off. I have tried every combination of track lengths and cannot get my layout perfectly aligned.
My question is this: How precise do the track ends need to be? Is there enough "play" with standard rigid track to get the track pieces to connect?
Thank you in advance for your guidance.

Happy New Year to all.
I have had model trains (O scale) since I was a kid and now that I am retired would like to get into an HO system.
I am designing my layout with the SCARM software, but I am confused with the different turnouts offered by Bachmann. Is there a good reference to find out the differences between the DCC #4, #5 and #6 turnouts?
I've downloaded the Bachmann catalog and have also researched some 3rd party retailers. If there is already a thread about this, please point me in the right direction.
Thank you.