I believe Atlas True-Track is code 83.  Bachmann E-Z Track is code 100

This layout has only been going since Christmas. But the Southern has run many days for many hours on an overhead track in a train store with 6-8 coaches behind it on tight radius curves. I certainly have no complaints about the robust nature of the equipment!

Les - Most railroads leave the engines running in cold weather (anything below 40 f). For environmental purposes, there is no antifreeeze in the radiators... only water. It would be costly to let the block freeze! And the fuel can be "pre-warmed" to prevent gell formation. While it seems on the surface to be a wateful policy, it makes sense... and avoids all of the hassels of an anti-freeze spill.

I haven't added any weight, and the engine has not overheated or otherwise given up.  As you might see in the video, the layout is not quite level. The trains speed up on the "downhill" toward the dining room table, and they slow appreciably on the "uphill" back to the living room and around the tight radius curves.  The point I make is that the Bachmann engines are plenty well made for what they are... and you can have a lot of fun without a gigantic investment.  Of course, you can have even more fun with a larger investment... shay, mogul, etc. 

I have seen messages questioning the pulling power of the 4-6-0's. I've never had any problems. Here's a "quick and dirty" video showing what they can do. One is pulling 9 passenger coaches. The other is pulling 8 coaches, 4 freight cars, and a bobber caboose. The set up is on my living room and dining room floor (very patient wife!) and includes several 180 degree 4' diameter curves and a couple of mixed 4' and 10' curves. All cars have metal wheels, but no modifications.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqMgNmK4qjE

Paul- Thanks for the update. Yampa Bob's comments are missed.

How about rules for hazardous material cars...buffer car(s) required for safety. Check the hazmat rules.

Try the craft hot glue from some place like Michaels. It is a lower temperature glue and can be easily softened/removed with the aid of a hair dryer. - Mike

"tone" should be "to be"

How about knock off the brakes and then do a "set and release"... Always want tone safe (and legal),

Lee- It is not the best thing in the world, but I have made a small circle of 12 inch radius by soldering flex track rail while it was straight and then carefully wrapping it around a form. I have a little 0-4-0 Pemco tank engine that runs fine around it. It as a definite challenge, but I managed to get consistently good operation from it.- Mike

Does anyone know of a good track program that will run on a Mac?

Try this: <http://www.girr.org/girr/tips/tips3/reversing_tips.html#auto>. It even has a circuit for an automatic reverser. Mike

Ed- You would have a polarity problem unless you electrically isolate the loop  (usually at the track switch/turnout) and wire the loop and mainline with a polarity reversing switch. The kalmnach wiring book has information on reverse loop wiring... or you can just google "reverse loopp wiring".- Mike

It really doesn't which end faces which way. However, with tall cars with high brake wheels, we often (to the extent possible) pair brake "B" ends together to make it easier for the "guy on the ground" to set and release the handbrakes. You will often see this on trains with groups of chip hoppers and the like. -Mike