Wolf River Spur

[FCIN]

The key to such an utterly simple track layout is the long lead, and 50 inches is a fair piece.

Absolutely! I've seen a lot of proposed switching layout plans that don't have an ample switching lead to work the first industry or two on the plan. On my own layout (20ft long) I always allow for at least a 7 or 8 foot long lead before the first industry. Not only does it give me ample room to work the first industrial spurs, it allows me some running distance for the train too. A typical train of 5 or 6 cars, has a nice long slow 10mph run to the end of the spur where I then start working the industries back toward the imagined main line connection. Although I've avoided it thus far, I do have the option of using more of the present benchwork for industries, by adding a 6 or 8 foot long detachable staging track. Time will tell if I go that route. Right now, it works just fine as currently designed.

All track gonna be hand built code 55.

Is this layout N or HO? Code 55 would really be a nice effect in either scale. I wish I'd gone with Code 70 on my own layout at times. As for modeling kudzu, I have no idea how you'd approach that! From the areas around here where someone made the mistake of planting that years ago, it looks like everything is covered with that stuff!