Thank you, Andre and Colin
The answer seems to be that there is no simple answer yet, early days still.
16bit Model Train Control Systems:
All model train folks using 16bit systems, it maybe best to just buy a
modern second hand PC capable of running Vista Beta2, try 512MB video memory,
with 4GB RAM and run Vista Beta 2 and see if the software will install and
run.
Do NOT try Vista Beta2 on any of your production machines, not even as a
duel boot system. Treat Vista Beta2 as a hobby on a spare machine.
16bit and x86 32bit (old) Office and Business applications:
There really should not be any public need to run old office software
suites, just buy the lasest Vista ready systems, Office 2007, etc.