The next step

[packers#1]

That looks like a curved turnout would have to be used; ain't a biggie though

[packers#1]

ok, got it worked out now. my only concern is the reach in the far right corner. The industries may be shuffled around some as well

[nscalemike]

Do you have access to all sides of this, or at least three?  If you do, I don't think you need an access hole.  It's going to limit your scenery/structure options if you put it in.  Second, unless you do have access to each side, I think your viewblock needs to be reworked, at least that is what I am assuming the blue line is.  Without side access you won't be able to see/access either of the two sides. 

I also tend to lean towards the plan with the branch crossing over the main.  It will give you a nice photo spot and also the perfect area for future expansion or temporary branch line staging.

Good luck,
Mike

[packers#1]

Mike, walls are at the top and extreme far left. There's also a doorway there on the left that limits that side to 3 feet or so. I'm concerned with it on the peninsula thing, but I can make it removable in the back for access to staging. And yeah, the branch crossing over the main is a nice photo op...but I also like the staging inside the hole. hmm, could the branch carry both of those features? That'd be something to really open up the line.
Also, I have concerns myself about operating the interchange with the Norfolk Southern. I'd have to foul up the main an awful lot...but then a couple of freights would add to the fun because I'd have to clear the main no?

[packers#1]

ok, here's the latest plan. I went ahead and made a dedicated interchange yard. The real question I have is should I add a connection at the head of the interchange track and beginning of the branch-off of the back CSRY branch, or is that not necessary? Also, the orange track is a basic idea for some switching fun at the end of the branchline that would be added after the yard is ready to go. Also, the bottom spur is now going to hold a bunch of little industries that would probably need to be switched once or twice a week, so not all would be switched every ops session, maybe two at most. also, the small branch by the backdrop in the yard would be for a small warehouse. There would be a dedicated switcher here, but it would be parked like the one locally; right beside the freight station or office. When it's time for it to be inspected etc, it would go on teh CSRY main and a new switcher would be assigned.

[DKS]

Problem I see with this version is it's turning into a real spaghetti bowl. I'm also confused about the cyan (light blue) line; it disappears behind the backdrop to the left, curves around, and ends. I'm assuming that's just a stub? Ops at the switch right at the point it passes through the backdrop could be dicey. And then the line runs straight to the right, passing through the backdrop twice. Access in that black hole might be a challenge.

I think it may be worth dialing back the sheer amount of track present, and possibly also re-think the way the backdrop runs. If the black blob to the left is an access opening, it might not be needed since the layout is only three feet deep at that point.

[packers#1]

Ai, the line runs from staging in the loop to the bridge over the NS line. And I agree it is becoming a spaghetti bowl. Really, what I want is an interchange, a couple of industrial sidings, and a branch, as well as a Norfolk Southern loop, while the CSRY is the ops. Hmm, if I removed the second yard track and moved the other switch up, that would work, open up the room for more industries in the back instead of up front, and give me some room for by the tracks structures, like a model of the local bowling alley etc. The reason I have the access hole is so I can pop up if there's a derailment...of course if the backdrop is removable that problem isn't present
EDIT: and of course it just hit me that I could still have the CSRY line over the NS, but not connect it to anything

[DKS]

So, let's back up to this version, and pick it apart. What's it not getting you?

[packers#1]

really, all that's missing is another switchback on the inside, which could be done by flipping the inside track, so there's not a problem there. I could also move that inside spur so the backdrop would be narrower, or the warehouse could be on the back half of the switchback, although it works better for the fertilizer and feed/seed dealer there.
For reference, here's the local building I'm lookin at basing it on (of course my scratchbuilding skills suck, but that's another thread). sorry for the pic, it was a snag pic from our van a while back with the cell phone

Also, here's a pic of the local NS office I wanna scratchbuild for the layout as well.

Really, I wanted to explore what all I could do with the different layout ideas and operations. But everything I look at doing comes back to that layout

[nscalemike]

So, let's back up to this version, and pick it apart. What's it not getting you?

I have to again agree with David on this.  I think putting an access hole on that left side will be a major waste of space.  Three foot deep, if you really need back there and have a tough time, get a step stool and it'll get you the little extra reach you may need.  Don't put the backdrop in before the track is laid, wired, tested and proven to be good quality.  At that point, access should be minimal.  Second, the plan provides lots of operation without being overly crowded.  Finally, if you really want some sort of staging on the left side for your branch, see if David can work in one of the two spurs to wrap back around to the staging yard.  You may need to put a curved turnout in, but I think you might be able to get it to work.  You won't be able to run big power and 89' auto racks, but a geep and a few 50' boxcars should not be a problem.  If what you really want is to run a mainline NS freight and switch a branch line, this will be your best plan.  Run a local from staging, switch the interchange yard, switch your industries, switch the interchange again if you really want to, and then back to staging, you should have a hour or two of operation.

Mike

(posted after 14 hours of work, sorry for any misspellings and bad grammer . . . . . . .)

[DKS]

If nothing else, let's look at what your proposed backdrop does to your layout:



That's a lot of layout real estate lost. If you're willing to work with grades, then consider having the staging yard across the back sitting at zero elevation, then raise the mainline up along the front an inch or so. With carefully designed scenery and strategically placed structures, the staging yard will be well hidden, with no major loss of valuable layout space. As for the sidings, they can run any which way you like; what's important is nailing down how the layout is going to work for your desired ops.

[packers#1]

Ok, so what's the worst percent grade? A 2% grade is probably not unheard of in SC

[DKS]

Ok, so what's the worst percent grade? A 2% grade is probably not unheard of in SC

Using the following height recommendations, the steepest grade is the curve at the left end, which is 2%; the rest are all 1% or less.



I used color to indicate track height. Blue is level at 0; purple transitions from 0 to 1.25; red is level at 1.25; orange transitions from 1.25 to 1.5; yellow is level at 1.5; and yellow-green transitions from 1.5 to 1.75.

[packers#1]

so since the staging yard is lower, there's no worries about the staged trains being seen, while I can reach in and stage trains etc with a stepstool? There wouldn't be any structures in the way. My last prob is the turnouts in the staging yard; anyone have a cheap remote turnout machine? Would some piano wire connected to the switch throws work?
Also, I've never built much benchwork past an over-engineered box...what kind of benchwork would you recommend for this plan?

[nscalemike]

You shouldn't be able to see much in the staging, maybe the top of an excess height car, like an autorack or something.  If you find it is a problem, you could still put a short 6" backdrop up.  And yes, a small step stool should allow you to reach in to fix a problem.  I would assemble the train in front and run it into staging rather than trying to assemble a new train back there, but in the event of a derailment you can reach it.

Benchwork all depends on what you want to do.  You can make it sectional like David's plan or one large piece.  Up to you if you plan to ever move it or not.  Next, decide on open grid type benchwork or a foam top surface.  Since staging is at 0" and everything else goes up, you could use a foam top and build up from there.  You don't really have room for a river or any type of major depression, but with the track going up you can still get drainage ditches on the sides of the tracks and some hills in to give the impresion of SC.  Foam will be much simplier to construct and probably cheaper.  Thats what I would do with it.

Good luck,
Mike