HO Freelance Shelf / Switching Layout

[Puddlejumper]

I like the layout design and it sounds like you have nice concept forming. As for the switchback, let me interject that while a switchback is not optimal, it is not at all unprototypical. (Is that a word?). For quite some time I was under the impression that switchbacks were completely unrealistc, due to so many "expert" modelers saying that the real railroads "would never do that". To be true, they are inconvenient and avoided when possible. But in researching prototype track layouts and through some diligent use of google earth I have found that a switchback into an industry -while not common- is not as rare as I was lead to believe. For this reason I included one in the industrial area on my layout.

Look forward to watching your progress!

Dave