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Just thought I'd drop a reply to update. My back is killing me and for a few days I thought my wife was going to leave me. My neighbors think dementia has set in, but I've gotten a lot accomplished! I went with Aristo, primarily the 5' sections. I purchased the 50 count box of Split Jaw clamps and graphite grease. I did go with the Bridgewerks 10SR transformer and think it is well worth the money due to the quality components and design. I french drained a 40' x 1' area below the straight section of the dogbone and backfilled with 2B gravel. I won't be able to use chicken grit or corse sandy material because I was told this will impede drainage. The area gets pretty swamped during heavy rain and spring thaws. I am going to try all purpose gravel, which seems to be smaller than 1B. I think it will do the job as far as leveling and securing the track in place. The key is the split jaw clamps. They really made a difference in straightening up the track and making the whole pike way more rigid than my trial layout with the stock joints. I also like the fact that I can loosen either side of the clamp and vertically lift the track straight up and out if need be. Otherwise I'd disturb the ballast with the side to side sliding movement required with the stock joint connectors. I was advised by several electrical contractors that it is not necessary to use conduit with underground rated wiring, and being I am using 10 gage stranded wiring of this nature I buried it along side PVC. The new landscaping looks great and I haven't really started with any plants or other enhancements, which is probably why my wife decided to stay! As it stands I've got another 12 hours to invest before I actually get to run for the first time. I was thinking of using an outdoor outlet box to rig a set of female chasis mount banana sockets (if anyone makes them) so the transformer can be easily connected/disconnected outside. I don't have any desire (at this point) for installing turnouts, especially if they require being removed for routine maintenance. I have plenty of switch action opportunities with my indoor O gauge railroading. Hope this project keeps going well! <br /> <br />Rich
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