Welcome to the fold. The "rail question" can either be done with the physics, ie using an assembly which acts just like those sets of wheels which keeps the coaster on its tracks. The pre-released SP 3.2 also has a follow a path function which may help. My suggestion to you, also as one who is AMAZED at what creative people can do with this software is to pick up a ruby book or website and then delve into some of the models which are posted. As some some of the commands are being morphed as Chris Phillips uses his powers as musical maestro/physics phanatic to do really cool stuff I would say started with the newest models (those for SP3x or SP3.2 pre-release might be pragmatic. I am actually holding off myself based on what I see in those music box videos from Chris. Oh yeah....and read read read these posts which are all infinitely more informative than any of mine.