Yard as a Layout

[steinjr]

Stein,One thing I would add is double ended inbound tracks.The way it stands now the inbound locomotives is trapped till the yard engine removes the train.

Either that, or trains going into the yard use the wye (and not shown crossovers between the two mainlines), and then back into the A/D tracks. Either way it works just fine. The yard is on a peninsula.

I wonder why the yard lead doubles as a engine service area lead?

Mostly to make something looking and functioning roughly similar to the desired original design fit within the assigned space - 30" deep sections for the yard, two 24" deep and 4 foot long sections for the mainline and wye.

IMHO Mr. Dolkos yard is lacking good YDEs for smooth yard operation.

And yet, his yard operated well with a crew for many years. His yard still exists (as part of someone else's layout), while Dolkos is busy building a layout based on Baltimore (if I remember correctly).

While you have no layout at all, and I have two partially completed layouts without ballast, scenery, completed buildings etc.

Sometimes "good enough now" beats "maybe perfect some day" :-)

Smile,
Stein