Rail yard...newbie here

[Green_Elite_Cab]

It seems awfully cramped for a working yard. You'd do better to have fewer, longer tracks than a bunch of short one that can't hold a train. The yard in the colored plan is much better than the first.

Really? you think its better in the original? I was told that it had too many switchbacks, which im not even sure that is, and that the curved staging tracks were a nono as coupling is hard on turns...

I appreciate all the info. I just want to have a working yard that allows me to arrange cars with my locos, supports a couple industries on the back side, like in the woodsriver yard in layout tips of MRR and I want a few engine servicing buildings etc. Just something that works and looks realistic.

LESS IS MORE


I agree with Railohio, a few long tracks are better than a lot of short ones. The same goes with industries. If you pack them too close, they won't look right, and you won't be able to have fun switching them.

This is ESPECIALLY true of the modern kind of rolling stock I assume you're going to be using (since you mention CSX and UP, we're talking between the 1980s and today). many of your industry tracks are not really long enough to handle these cars and fit properly.

The switchbacks are another issue. You have one switchback on the left side leading back to your roundhouse (which is also probably too cramped to function properly), and another one on the pier along the water.

These aren't always trouble (I have one on my layout), but if you're going to have one, you're going to want to make it so that you don't get grid locked. You're better off just having direct spurs right off your mainline, or better yet, on a passing siding. In fact, your "pier switchback" is completely unnecessary, you'd probably be better off using a diamond. You also seem to have redundant run around tracks, so you don't need any switch backs.

Curved yard tracks are "OK", depending on how curved they are. Almost all of my yard tracks are a little bit curved, but the curve is so gentle that generally, coupling is not a problem. However, it is probably wise to avoid them.

I might play with your track plan a little