Nice little set up there! You dont need alot of space to make a nice layout. I used to have G in the second bedroom of an apartment once. I am lucky to have alot of space but the dog caused problems with it. So for now its taken down. Going to rebuild this summer.

Nice runner, you 'll have a lot of fun Livesteaming.

I bought a Ruby (practically the same thing as an Ida, but with a straight stack and side tanks) kit for $420 from Southern Digital RR Hobbies, and that includes shipping and a bottle of steam oil. Brass track is pretty expensive(usually $50 and up for a pack), but I bought a complete garden rr's worth of brass rail (Lionel) on Ebay for around $120. Shop around, and you might get lucky. Right out of the box, Ruby's a great steamer, and can be made even better with add on parts.

@DrFrankensteam Thanx, I am into the old prewar clockwork trains now. I can have twice as much track in the same area with Ogauge. I can understand about dog's, I have a 160lb Great Dane. If I get a live steam again it will have to be a 3.5in., 5in., or a 7.5in. gauge loco.

@DutchBurtman Yes, it is addictive! But I am into the old O-gauge Hornby clockwork trains now. I don't have enough room for gauge1 trains, their just too big! Steam on!

Nice. Good luck with the project! If you don't mind me asking, about how much did this basic set cost you? Did you build it yourself? I'd like to build something similar in my yard. Maybe we can share notes. Thanks.