Jim,

Think that would interest a good number of people. For starters I think your posting some MP3 files would help those of us not savvy about mixing and making sound tracks to try the idea out.
In anticipation

Eric UK

Jason,

If you still think of using the Marx plan,omit the curved section of track across the middle which gets rid of the need for the 1 1/2" section. Use the turnouts to provide two more sidings(more switching options), with the top turnout changed to a RH .

Eric UK

  I am not in HO nor have I seen this model, but having looked at the assembly drawing I am totally confused by the answers posted. On the drawing I can't see a 'fuel tank shell' nor can I see two screws coming up thru the chassis or the holes for them in the chassis castings and the PC board.
What I can see are dummy fuel tank sides as part of the shell and a tab midway along each side of the lower chassis casting. This suggests to my simple mind that the shell of the model in the drawing is held by the tab in slot method. Seems there may be two different versions of this model.

Eric UK

Frankv,

An 8x4 is great so long as you can access all sides. Shove it into a corner and half the track is out of reach.
Have drawn a plan with two 6x2 sections on left. This gives 2 foot wide access to the ends of loops. Have included one turnout -- add more as you wish. Not knowing EZ-Track, think that I  have used wrong curve sections.
With the power pack/controller in the middle of left side ,it can be connected to center of a power bus (does not have to connect to one end).



Eric Uk

Bill,

The onsite products list has not been updated to include new products.
The Walthers site is not "the Bible".

Eric UK

Don't know about the EZ-track but have couple of suggestions.
Change the RH turnout at top left to a Remote to match the LH turnouts at top center and top right.
Extend bottom siding to match the top one---Needs two less curves but more straights.

Eric UK

Rather than updating your Mantua, look out for the old version of the Bachmann HO Spectrum 0-6-0T (not the standard with tender). Has extra gearing and is a great switcher (and for On30 bash). The new version is due later with DCC.

Eric Uk

From as far back as I can remember pre WW2, the family would catch the GW train from Snow Hill station in Birmingham to Portsmouth for our yearly weeks holiday in Southsea. This always included a day on the Isle of Wight, travelling to and fro on a side paddle steamer. Can still remember standing in the doorway of the engine room watching the inclined engine. Still have a photo of grandpa and me aged about 7 (1934?)walking to the beach,taken with a box Brownie. Also have photos of a 1950 mountaineering holiday in Norway taken with same camera.

Eric UK

Mike

Have just looked at Products/Large/Track and all that is shown are pics of the various pieces. No info as to radius or lengths. Since Bachmann do not give this you cannot expect anyone else to have it.

Eric UK

Sounds like a wrong component--either a Potentiometer with no dead(disconnect)position or Pots that are incorrectly assembled. Given the apparent lack of quality control in other cases (HO and On30 Shay and Climax gears)it could be either.

Eric UK

About the only thing that is common is the distance between rails. AnyRail has virtually every make of track EXCEPT E-Z track.
Some manufacturers have different radii for curves and lengths for straight track sections plus differing rail heights. For turnouts there are different lengths and frog angles.
Cannot open your file so have no idea what you intend. Even a rough handdrawn layout with some dimensions scanned into your PC and uploaded here would help us to help you.

Eric UK

The Peco Loco Lift is only 12"long and is only really useful when used as intended--adding to or removing locos from track.  Saves me much squinting and fiddling.

Ray,
Glad that you found a copy: you have a couple of hours interesting reading to come, especially the 16 page 'preamble' before you get to a plan. You may not agree with some of it ,but it will get you thinking---possibly out of the box in some ways.

Eric UK

IJ12

Notice that this loco has a 4 wheel (fixed axle) tender.
Have looked thru the Bach catalogue and the only one that I can find is in the HO "Pegasus" train set.  Add this to one of the American 4-4-0s (old not 'modern') and that is about right.

Eric UK

RJ,

Point mouse at 'Products' in left column then click on 'HO' on pop out table. Click on E-Z track then Nickel silver track. Click on any item and you will get a larger picture plus description of track piece.

Eric UK

Ray,

The S,S and P book I mentioned has a layout that may interest you if you have 12ft. length.
 
It has two scenic sections and a 'table' to carry cassettes measuring 9'3" oal. The centre section and table are fixed while there are 3 alternative themed end sections. One has various industries, one is single heavy engineering company and last is a harbour terminal with warehouse,pier and carfloat.
You could lengthen the 7' long scenic sections slightly and replace cassette table with a longer 3 or 4 track staging/fiddle yard.

Eric UK