Welcome Jim here's a great payware site (also has freeware): http://www.rrmods.com/. You can also look here for some great freeware: http://www.sporbust.com/, and some more payware here: http://www.worldoftrainz.com/. Those should get you started. As for routes, well, I recommend Gilby & Wallace, Port Ogden & Northern (both on the Download station) You will need a decent computer to run those. And check here for more great routes: http://www.checkrail.com/ and here: http://www.trainzproroutes.org/index.html. Anyways, others may have other recommendations for you, but that should get you started. Hope that helps, enjoy your Trainz experience!