nmra

When weighting a caboose, do you measure the body length only, or include the front and rear porches in the length measurement? Also, any quick/easy methods for adding weight to a tank car? Mine has a narrow spine that is too small to hide any weighting in. I've heard of inserting ball...

So I'm getting ready to start doing my first layout, and thought I might follow the beginner guide at NMRA, here: http://www.nmra.org/beginner/ Has anyone else here used it? Any comments on it? Or do you know of any other beginner resources like this?