Southern Pacific Switching Layout

[torikoos]

Great looking trackplan. Can I make one suggestion? If you manage to bring forward the backdrop behind the mine a couple of inches, you could add an additional hidden staging track, maybe two. And you know you can never have enough staging for operational interest.
The formula that people tend to use is N=2n+1 where n= the staging you THINK you need, and N = is the actual staging you would need for good operations.

Not to make you change your mind again though, it's good as it is, but if..... ;-)

Koos

I think I will only need one staging track since I only have one engine and all trains will be made up using the "0-5-0" switcher.

That's great, for now, but what about in a year or two, when you maybe, just maybe, have a second engine, or a third?
Still operating one at a time? While there's certainly nothing wrong with that (a lot, if not most people have more locos than they've got space for), I'm not sure if you'll still be as happy with it. By all means enjoy it, don't get me wrong please, just trying to help, but while you're in the building stage, just think about it some more, before you really commit yourself and rush in to start scenery etc..
In any case, good luck, and hope to see your progress soon, I love seeing layouts being build! :-)

Koos