Dos and Don'ts
Rock City Railroad
1. Dont use those cheap Atlas switches
2. Don't use any switches except "large radius"
3. Don't attach your layout to the wall
4. Don't get any engines with brass wheels
5. Don't make your curves to sharp. Atlas makes HO scale 22" radius, 18" radius, and 15" radius curves, leading you think they're ok. They're not. 24" is the minimum radius for HO! You have to use flex track. Just because your engines or a few cars can make a tighter curve, they all won't, and you'll always have problems on these curves.
6. Don't read that stupid Lynn Westcott book on building your first layout.
7. Don't buy everything from the expensive hobby stores. You can get almost everything you need and want at the traveling swap meets that come around for about 1/3 the price or better! You just need a little patience to find things.
8. Don't spend too much on plastic buildings. You can get them at swap meets for about $5.
9. Don't use 24 gauge wire! (Atlas, of course, starts you off on that cheap worthless 24 gauge wire, and after a year, you've got to replace all your wire.) It's too thin and breaks after bending it a few times, which you usually do. Strand wire is a pain in the butt. Use 22 gauge wire. You can get it at Home Depot for $21 per 500 foot roll.