I would just go with four tracks. That will save you a couple of feet. Four tracks gives you enough options that you can make up trains going in either direction. Three tracks is all you really need, one for east bound, one for west bound, and one for local. But it's nice to have an extra one for maintenance of way, cabooses, or locomotives. A single sided yard is fine for sorting cars. Plus you can just pretend that it is longer by putting a view block like an overpass at the end.
Considering the fact that you are limited to an 11' shelf, a double ended yard is probably not practical, so you should go with a stub end yard to maximize space available on the classification tracks.
Instead of the "rake" yard, why not simply build the traditional ladder off the main line? And, add an arrival/departure track instead of the so-called "pocket" track.
You have the bible in Andy Sperandeo's The Model Railroader's Guide to Freight Yards book. It includes diagrams of various classification yard configurations to maximize the use of available space.
Make the yard as long as space allows. No HO scale yard has ever been too big on anyone's layout.
Rich
Alton Junction
kasskabooseI can't decide how long to make the classification tracks compared to the pocket track.
shouldn't the arrival/destination track only be as long as a train?
kasskabooseI thought to put five or six classification tracks
each additional tracks cost space, either lengthening the yard or shortening track length. besides the arrival/destination and possibly escape track, don't you need a track for each train destination or scheduled train? (maybe 4 tracks total)
kasskaboose I can consider operations but not sure if I can put in a double-ended yard there.
why would it need to be double ended? will you have trains coming from both ends of the yard?
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
OK, you're probably sighing seeing another yard post, so thanks for reading!
Anway, I have a 11x2' HO shelf for adding a yard. I thought to make a stub-ended one. Having consulted Sperandeo's book for awhile, I can't decide how long to make the classification tracks compared to the pocket track. I thought to put five or six classification tracks to support cars from the 1980s (nothing too long!). The yard's purpose is classification and storage. I can consider operations but not sure if I can put in a double-ended yard there.
To visualize the yard, the classification tracks are the points of a rake and the pocket track is the handle. Makes sense?
Thanks!