I HAVE SOLVED THE PROBLEM! The railroad is alive; the programming track works; the yard tracks all work; the mainline tracks all work. Once I install the ground throws for switch tracks the intermittent power problem will go away as the stock rails will make firm, positive contact.

I'm not an electrical genius unless it comes to explosives and electrical blasting caps; however, I was not about to let a simple plus/minus, two-wire power problem whip my butt. The Jesuits' gift of reasoning helped me prevail and it was just a matter of "running the rabbit to a hole." 



Now comes the fun part - scenery. Starting with the mountain and KPEG (Peggy's radio station tower) and the ground cover there, I'll be able to spend a few hours each week detailing the right-of-way with trees, grass, buildings, lights, phone poles, streets, people and even miniature garbage cans. 



The railroad is never done, but it is a long way from an empty space filled with lumber. . . . . . pictures to follow later this week.