• Trains placed on the layout and test-run well before opening time.
• Locomotives have DCC chips and non-conflicting numbers.
• Locomotives (any type and road name) consisted together (if more than one unit) that run well with each other.
• Wheels on cars and power checked for gauge
• Couplers of any reliable type can be used in a dedicated consist. Cars don't become uncoupled and trip pins clear diverging rails and grade crossings.
• Car weights consistent so that any train may be pulled and pushed down main line tracks without derailing.
• At the end of each public run, Bronze Standard rolling stock removed from the railroad.

Silver Standard -- The minimum standard applied to cars and power which may be left on the railroad and used in operating sessions.

• Locomotives consisted together; run well with other power; programmed and test run over railroad.
• Generally: locomotives will be representative of the types and road names of power used in southern Oregon circa 1989.
• However: locomotive models and paint schemes from other areas are acceptable if consistent with their consist…or a good tale can be told as to what they're doing on the P&E.
• All cars have metal wheel sets, checked for gauge; highly recommend 20K ohm resistor on at least one axle.
• Body-mounted Kadee* couplers; height and trip pin checked on Kadee coupler gauge; couplers mounted firmly so as not to droop or sag, yet not so tight as to be unable to center themselves.
• Truck mounted couplers may be used for passenger cars if reliable.
• Cars will weigh in at NMRA specs of 1 oz. per car plus ½ oz. per inch of length. (A few exceptions may be made for hoppers, log cars and chip cars carrying live loads.)
• Cars roll freely, without obstruction, around all curves; car body mounted squarely on the trucks and trucks secured without excessive play. Trucks swivel freely.
• Interiors of open cars, including unobtrusive weights, are painted appropriately.
• Some weathering preferred, but not absolutely required. Unusually brightly painted cars of older eras are toned down with weathering (exception: rare or expensive collector's items)
• The Roadmaster will examine all cars to be left on the railroad and may remove any which do not meet Silever Standards.

* After testing numerous other brands of knuckle couplers, the P&E has found that there are no accpetable alternatives for Kadee couplers.

Gold Standard -- The desired high standard for the best looking and operating cars and engines. All equipment must meet the Silver Standards, plus:

• One locomotive, preferably the lead unit, has sound.
• The lead unit has headlight(s) and ditch lights as appropriate.
• Locomotive glazing, handrails and other details are complete (see Diesel Details for recommendations).
• Models and paint schemes are those seen in Southern Oregon circa 1989 and are weathered appropriately for that era
• All cars have Intermountain wheel sets (metal wheels and axles); at least one (preferably both) end axle(s) fitted with a 20K ohm resistor to activate signals.
• All wheels in gauge; wheels and axles painted brown or weathered black.
• Cars weathered appropriately. Insides of open cars painted and weathered appropriately.
• Passenger cars have diaphragms and body mounted couplers.