My new basement, or, how to fill it

[lajry]

Randy
Forget the staging in upper left. Put it along wall in upper right. You can then have upper level staging there also. Have the lower level big yard along bottom wall but move the peninsulas up a couple feet to give the yard 1-2 feet width. Keep the engine facilities near by as most RR have them that way. You got plenty of room for industries & sidings along the way. You could have the upper level big yard above the lower level one but crews working both yards will always be in each others way. With some good planning the upper yard could be along the peninsula.
You should be thinking about the length of the trains you want to run. They can't be any longer than your longest sidings or you'll always be doing saw bys. :-(
Since you're modeling the '50s are you doing both steam & diesel? If so you're going need both types of engine facilities including turntables & roundhouses.
Your layout being the Reading have you found out what kinds of industries they served