Hi Everyone- 

First post here,  been reading and dreaming for a while and decided to take the plunge to start nailing/ gluing down some track for a real permanent layout. I've been looking thru some of the discussions and found some really neat ideas- but was wondering if there are any Passenger line specific layouts that anyone could recommend? I am collecting modern Amtrak and Chicago Metra system equipment. Since i live in the area and see allot of that whiz by. 

Any input would be greatly appreciated.  

I know I have posted this tip once before but here is an updated method that works much better! If you want to read the original article, here is the link.

http://issuu.com/mr-hobbyist/docs/mrh11-08-aug2011-ol?viewMode=presentation&mode=embed

<p>So, yesterday was the first day of normal club operations after Christmas. I got there a little late and was kind of expecting to just take my new engine over to the test/programming track to work on it. Whoops.....</p>

As part of a mixed lot of HO rolling stock, I got a couple items that I don't know what they are.  I don't know if they are just part of the frame of something and the rest of the car is missing, or if they are some kind of open frame car for carrying steel or something similar.

Here are a couple pictures of the first one.