Paul, on getting on the site, have you tried Fire Fox? I believe you are using a Mac. Couple folks in the dinner use Mac’s and have no problem getting on. Drop by I will buy you a beer and ask about the Mac thing.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/210372.aspx
Start at around page 52.
Far as starting a layout here is a few pictures.
First I made some paper tin plates by tracing around some 18 and 22 inch turns. I know, you are using flex track.You can make a big compass with a pieces of wood with 18, 22. 24 or what ever radius you need. Then I used push pins to lay the tin plate to see how it felt so to speak. (You can see some of the tin plates I had used)
Next, I tested fitted my road bed, I use cork. In the above picture you can see it being held down with push pin’s. When I was happy, I traced the out line on both sides and pull the road bed. I then spread my latex chalk and applied the chalk and held in places with the push pins.
My next step (we talked some on the phone) spayed a guild coat on the cork (don’t think you can do this with the woodland scenic stuff) and sanded the cork with 120 grit sand paper to make smooth. You might want to do this step on the foam bases where the track will be laid then glue down the road bed.
Then I tracked down my track with track nails and give it a test run. (after I add the need feeders) Unlike many here, I do not chalk my track down, I added a few extra spike holes with a 3/16 drill bite. Once (in my case if) I add ballast it will hold the track in places. My K-10 Mining section has been up and running for 4 years with just the track nails holding it in places!
Far as the Flex Track, I have never used Peco. I am off Thursday, up want to talk on the phone? It can be a [banghead] at first, but you will ge