Nice going Beautiful tabletop!    I just got mine running today - I need to disassemble it due to my kids,but it was a lot of fun for the family - my Father in law came over and we ran it together. An atlas GP9 ran very smoothly on it also.

Finally got the time to test out some things and the train is running.
The power pack needs to be plugged in VERY securely. Also, the engine is sluggish to start - it hardly moves til about 70 % power, then has to be turned down
I learned how to use the rerailer effectively.
The boys went nuts - and of course want a more hands on exrepience.
Setting off on my  most expensive hobby to date!

I'll have to try these suggestions. won't get time until tomorrow, but til then
Thanks!

The outlet is absolutely working. I assume that the powerpack is also since a red light comes on in the upper left corner.I read all the instructions twice before doing anything with the train set. I don't know if power is in the track or not - no lights on the track that I am aware of. I can't even call customer service til the week - and only if I get the right time.

I didn't notice any lights. I don't know if the train needs to be in full contact - ie all wheels on the track properly to have any lights. I was just doing what the manual said with the rolling - I have never done toy trains before - started picking it up for my kids.

Guess I'll pick up a volt meter - will  need one when I start on a full layout anyway.

The manual says to place the wheels on the track and roll them over the track. That's what I mean by rolling. Haven't tried to turn the wheels by hand.

The two plugs for input/output are different so I know they are connected correctly. The power plug portion of the track has prongs on both sides of the track. I tried both, and nothing changed. There are two accesory spots that I haven't done anything with yet.

As for the auto light - do I just place it on the track, make contact at a certain spot, etc - Thanks for any input!

HI - I got my empire builder set , put it together and plugged it in, etc.

The power pack is plugged into a live wall jack, as far as I can tell, the track is assembled properly. The powerpack is black and has a red light in the upper left corner.

I'm having an awful time getting all 16 wheels of the engine to sit properly on the track. I even put on an 8 wheel engine I have from atlas. Both trains seem to be rolling smoothly, but when I turn the power up slowly, nothing happens. 
How can i be sure the track is getting current? I don't have an electrical tester. Very frustrating, as the kids are clamboring for the train to run. 
Any help?

Oh I forgot the most important question - I've seen some Thomas The Tank Engine in  N scale - from a japanese company(Tomix???) Will these cars be compatible? I'm assuming any cars will run on the track, but you never know!

I have an Empire builder set in bound from an online retailer, and have some questions.
As a little background:
I have never run model trains before - I am pursuing the hobby because of my two young sons, and some related interest on the part of the grandparents. We have long range plans to convert my basement space to a larger layout based on the Central Vermont lines focused on the Bellows Falls junction. My Father in law has done trains for a long time but doesn't have space to do a layout. I am getting the Empire Builder set as something to play with until a more comprehensive track plan can come together.

So here are my questions:

Do the easy track sections come apart easily, or are they pretty much staying together after they are snapped together?

Are There other layout plans that can be made with the track in the package besides the basic oval listed on the back of the package? Are there websites that I could be directed to that give plans, or part of this forum?


My father in law has some Central Vermont locos made by Atlas, and decoder equipped. Should I expect these locos to run on the easy track, with the supplied power pack?
Any other tips and suggestions will be appreciated!