In the last few days I have gotten some recommendations about attending operating sessions and hooking up with more experienced model railroaders. I agree its something that  I need to do but it is going to be very difficult given my religious background. You see I am an Orthodox Jew and thus I can't do those things on Friday nights or Saturdays which wehn most operating sessions are held. Now I have nothing against anyone who only does this then but it does put me in the position of trying to find a way of getting this information without attending in person.

how would one connect dcc specialties power pax to a 4 pole double throw switch center of position connected to a program track from digitrax challenger.  wiring diagram would be appreciaed.

Obviousy, the most important thing about modeling a large city is to make it look like a large city. To create a small town atmosphere with the structures and call it Chicago is stretching it a bit. I'll describe some of the techniques I used to attempt to capture the look and feel of Philadelphia.

I was asked to describe what I use for my layout. Well here is a brief look at the system for those who have never seen it before.

Made more progress this weekend.  Got the scenery roughed in at Potomac Creek and got about another 20 ft of track and one and half  turnouts built. As I continue to tinker, I think I have solved the stub turnout bridle issue, two different ways. I posted more photos on my blog http:usmrr.blogspot.com. Here is a grainy shot of the General pulling a work train at Stoneman's Station.

This weekend was spent backdrop painting on the lower deck.  I am using a pale blue that won't distract from the foreground scenery.  I then blended the blue into white near the horizon line to simulate the effects of atmospheric scattering seen in real skies.  

Being new to the hobby and starting with a DCC layout, can I wire my Atlas turnouts from the DCC Buss to the turnout switches?  Really appreciate any help. 

This one is  based on the plan in MRH q3 by Byron Henderson.  I modified it to fit onto a cut 4x8 sheet, which I have available.  I plan on using this as a start to a larger layout, just planning for such a large space(at least for me) was getting overwhelming.  Here is the plan:

1    Main

2    Yard lead and station

3   Interchange

4   Industry of some kind-still undecided

I've been making progress on my ACW layout with a little help from my brother. It's almost time to build the big truss bridge over Potomac Creek. I am really looking forward to this project. Here is a shot of the gap the bridge must cross. More photos at http:usmrr.blogspot.com