Freelance 2012

[faraway]

... yes, they still exist, but close to rail operations -- less and less.

That is one of the reasons I went back on the time line "somewhere" between 1960 and 1980. I try to explain the railroad existence with the "Mutual Grain Service" and the "General Mill" industries. There is nothing like a "main line" or even "branch line" on my layout. Just the tracks necessary to support that two survived customers. The origin of the in and outbound cuts is not on the layout (staging yard at the other side of the room).
The other reason are the engines used today for trivial industry switching. Mostly run at least in pairs and sometimes as long as Gensets. That is to much for my small layout. My tracks appear much longer if I stay with SW1500, GP9 etc. (but I still love my Genset!.... in the cabinet only )

I see gas meters at some of your buildings. Is there a rule of the thumb where gas is used and where not? I would guess gas is a preferred used for heating and therefor not common used in the south (TX- CA) because only little heating is required and can be done with electric ovens?