Populating with rolling stock

With the electrical work underneath the bench work done, at least until and if I decide to light building interiors, it's time to determine staging yard capacity. Today, I started adding the cars I have, one at a time, and using the engines to back them into place. This process served to check the needed rolling stock and track maintenance as well as capacity.

I found out at least three things. One, I have more rolling stock than will comfortably fit the layout. That's not a bad thing ... I can narrow down to the better running cars, and I can keep the others to change out periodically. Two, the rolling stock needs some serious maintenance including proper weights, coupler height adjustment, and metal wheels on some of the cars. Three, the track needs a little maintenance, but all in all, it's in pretty good shape.

It does seem, at first glance, the mix of cars (gondolas, box cars, hoppers, and tank cars) is about right for the planned industries they will serve.

Next on the agenda is to create the work bench area so I can have modeling space. Next item on the railroad - along with the items listed above - is the creation of the scrap yard.