Maybe a "new" idea for a "old" subject

[steinjr]

A great way to make your layout look realistic is to make it look "BUSY".

Probably not necessary to point out, and certainly not a new and revolutionary insight by me, but still: it really depends on what you are modeling, and what you want to accomplish - good looks or not too aggravating switching.

For some places, some eras and some times of year, very, very busy is realistic looking. For other places, eras and other times of year, almost empty is realistic looking (and could be just as interesting to switch).

If you are not deliberately modeling a gridlock situation (and you are operating the yard, rather than using it as a photo subject), trying to keep classification yards less than 75-80% full is generally a good idea.

It all comes down to what you want to model. But adding or removing cars certainly is an easy way of changing the complexity and look of a layout without making track changes.

Smile,
Stein