That's how I got started collecting the little Lionel freights. A 254 loco and a circle of 072 on the floor under a tree. I had all the cars I had behind the loco - about 9, and then I started buying more if they were different. The 254 will pull 15-18 of those cars easily.
Johnson's Rubber Roadbed will keep the floor nice. I have more than I need, but don't know how much I need yet. You can find it on eBay for about $2 a section postpaid in large lots. It will be much cheaper in Feb.
Terry
PS Harold. When you post photos of trains on the floor, we like to see the dog too. Most of us have 4-legged freinds.