Thanks.  I will check them out.

I am specifically interested in the unlettered olive cars.  I assume those will be available pending a future delivery.  Is this correct?

I have been trying to obtain a couple more passenger cars for my layout, but it seems that all my normal sources are sold out and can't get more.  Has Bachmann discontinued them, or are they simply waiting for a new run to be made and shipped?  Just curious.

I called Microengineering this morning.  They told me that the On30 code 83 turnouts will start shipping again late next week.

I will try to contact them again.  I sent a note to this address about 2 weeks ago and never got a response.

Does anyone know why my usual outlets are back-ordered on the Micro Engineering On30 turnouts?  Does anyone know when they will be available again or if Micro Engineering has discontinued this product?

It is true that Diecast Direct is pretty high end.  I became a customer when I was collecting 1/50 NZG construction equipment, and those models are expensive.

The most readily available vehicles are probably 1/50 scale stuff.  There is a fair amount of it available.  I have previously had good experiences buying diecast models from diecastdirect.com.  Check out their website.

Widget, my original post was on August 3, title something like Need Advice Planning First Layout.  Also has a lot of good information on lengths and track spacing if you read the thread of posts.

I am also new to On30 and posted a similar question back in late July or August.  I ended up convinced that a minimum radius of about 22-24" would be a good starting point.  I designed my small layout, which will begin construction soon, around 24" radius curves.

This post is actually about something I was considering.  I do intend to have a name of some sort for my railroad, and I was wondering about how to get decals or such.  I live in Houston, so I can probably find someone in town who would print them commercially.

I am also going to use ME Code 83 turnouts and flextrack in the visible parts of my layout.  I cast the die on that over the weekend and ordered the track.

Thanks for the comments.  I think I will go with code 83.  I am convinced that code 70 would be too small, and I like the slightly smaller code 83.  I am still debating between ME On30 and HO.  I agree that HO track would be pretty easy to obtain locally (I live in Houston), and I have previous layout experience with HO.  I intend to use flextrack rather than hand laid track.  I am curious about trying hand laid, but I really don't want to take the time.  I might go with the ME On30 as the layout will be small and the cost difference will be tolerable.

This layout is sort of an experiment in narrow gauge.  We are empty nesting and living in a rented town house near downtown Houston while we figure out what we want to do for the longer term.  This layout will be pretty simple as space is limited to a 6'x14' area in a spare bedroom, and I want to get the layout built and running quickly.  I am planning to do a "wild west" theme using a large loop with a couple of staging tracks on one side and a small town on the other side of the layout.  The town will have a passing siding and a couple of spurs for limited switching.  I will probably opt for high plains rather than mountains at this point.   

I am trying to decide between code 100, code 83, and code 70 rail for the layout I am planning to start this fall.  Any opinions or recommendations?

This is all very helpful.  Thanks to everyone for the advice and opinions.