04-04-2013, 09:06 PM
Good stuff, Mike! I kinda prefer door #2. Only two track switches can give plenty of switching ops, plus there is the continuous "lead", so the moves are streamlined and more like the real thing. The long building supply spur gives a place to shake out the incoming interchange cars, plus off spots at the end of a session. Coupling and uncoupling on curves most of the time might be a good reason to try the couplers from Sergent Engineering. I suppose one could remove the centering spring from Kadees to the same end and use a skewer. I really like that most all coupling and uncoupling occurs right up front if one is facing the layout from the bottom edge as shown. Back dated to pre 1950 with an 0-6-0T or little GE and short cars, one could use 15" curves and make the layout even narrower. I think yours is an elegant little track plan.